Back Pain.

Last updated Tuesday, January 25, 2005

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What is back pain?

Everyone's back pain is different. For some people, back pain involves mild pain (pain that is bothersome, aching, sore). For other people, back pain involves severe pain (pain that hurts all the time, even when resting).

Most doctors refer to back pain as acute (generally severe, but short-lived), subacute or chronic (long-lasting or occurring often). Acute back pain usually lasts from one to seven days. Pain may be mild or severe and occasionally may be caused by an accident or injury. About 80 percent of all back pain is acute. Subacute back pain usually lasts from seven days to seven weeks and usually is mild; occasionally it's severe. This pain generally is unrelated to other illnesses you may have. About 10 to 20 percent of all back pain is subacute. Chronic back pain usually lasts more than three months and maybe mild or severe. It may be related to other illnesses you may have or may have no identifiable cause. About five to 10 percent of all back pain is chronic.

What symptoms indicate that back pain needs immediate medical attention?

If your back pain is accompanied by any of the following, see a doctor today:

• weakness or numbness in one or both legs
• pain going down one leg below the knee
• back pain from a fall or injury
• back pain accompanied by fever without flu-like aches
• pain that continues to interrupt sleep after three nights
• or back pain that remains after six weeks of home treatment

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