Back pain is one of the common reasons for which people seek medical treatment. It affects approximately three in four adults during their lifetime. It originates in the spine anywhere between the upper and lower back.

Acute back pain is defined as severe but lasts for a short period of time. Chronic back pain usually occurs everyday. It can also be severe. Back pain that travels into leg is called radicular pain or lumbar radiculopathy

Back pain sometimes may be accompanied by numbness and weakness in the leg. Sitting, walking, standing, bending over or twisting at the waist may aggravate back pain. Your doctor may use terms such as thoracic, lumbar, lumbosacral or sacral. Lumbar refers to your back.

Back pain may result from injury such as sprain and this is usually self-limiting. Other causes are congenital, degenerative, age related etc. They may also be linked to poor posture, obesity or to smoking.

When should you consult a doctor for your back pain?

• When you cannot stand upright
• When your back pain is accompanied by fever
• When there is loss of bladder or bowel function
• When pain is relentless or worsens
• When your leg pain or weakness progressively worsens

What does your doctor do?

• He reviews your medical history
• Discusses about your back pain
• Learns more about your symptoms
• Will do a detailed neurological examination
• Will order CT scan or MRI to confirm the diagnosis and plan treatment