radiate a burning or stabbing feeling. Sciatica causes back discomfort. When the sciatic nerve is pinched or compressed, it generates searing lower back and buttock agony.
Vertebral fractures and spine irregularities may cause bone discomfort. This discomfort is sudden. Movement increases moderately to severe bone pain.
Accompanying symptoms
Aches or stiffness along the spine, severe stabbing neck discomfort, difficulty standing up straight owing to pain or muscle spasms, stumbling, limb-spreading back numbness, or tingling leg weakness, bladder inability, urinary incontinence, diarrhea/constipation.
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What Causes Back Pain
Poor posture may cause backache. Back discomfort often results from muscle or ligament strain. Overstretching, heavy lifting, and improper lifting may strain backs. Other causes of back pain can include:
- poor posture
- standing or sitting for an extended period
- muscle spasms
- muscle tension
- injuries to the back, such as fractures or falls
- damaged, dislocated, or ruptured discs
- abnormal curvature of the spine
- tumors
Medical conditions that can cause back pain include:
- inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis and spondylitis
- osteoporosis
- shingles
- cancer of the spine
- infections
- cauda equina syndrome, which affects the nerves at the base of the spinal cord
- abdominal aortic aneurysm
- endometriosis
When To See A Doctor
Rest, heat and OTC painkillers may manage minor back discomfort at home. Traumatic pain requires medical attention. Kidney stones and infections need medical attention. The following symptoms need medical attention:
- persistent or severe pain that does not improve after rest
- back pain that gets worse over time
- pain, numbness, or tingling that radiates down the legs or into the arms
- difficulty walking or standing
- swelling of the legs, ankles, or feet
- unexplained weight loss
- sudden bladder or bowel problems
- fever
- irregular heartbeat
- shortness of breath
The kidneys lie below the rib cage on each side of the spine and press on the back muscles, making it difficult to distinguish back discomfort from kidney pain. Kidney discomfort may develop on either side of the back below the rib cage. UTIs, kidney stones, and blunt-force injuries cause kidney discomfort.
Most individuals have lower back discomfort. Heavy lifting, poor posture, and prolonged sitting or standing may cause back discomfort. Arthritis, osteoporosis, and infections all cause back discomfort. Recognizing kidney pain from back pain may improve diagnosis and therapy.