Bands of tissue known as ligaments hold the vertebrae in place, and tendons attach the muscles to the spinal column. The spaces between the vertebrae are maintained by round, rubbery pads called intervertebral discs that act like shock absorbers throughout the spinal column to cushion the bones as the body moves. The lower back-where most back pain occurs-includes the five vertebrae (referred to as L1-L5) in the lumbar region, which supports much of the weight of the upper body. In some cases, treatment successfully relieves chronic low back pain, but in other cases pain continues despite medical and surgical treatment. Even if pain persists, it does not always mean there is a medically serious underlying cause or one that can be easily identified and treated. About 20 percent of people affected by acute low back pain develop chronic low back pain with persistent symptoms at one year. Chronic back pain is defined as pain that continues for 12 weeks or longer, even after an initial injury or underlying cause of acute low back pain has been treated.In some cases a few months are required for the symptoms to disappear. It tends to resolve on its own within a few days with self-care and there is no residual loss of function. Acute, or short-term back pain lasts a few days to a few weeks.Getting too little exercise followed by a strenuous workout also can cause back pain. It can begin suddenly as a result of an accident or by lifting something heavy, or it can develop over time as we age. Even school-age children can have back pain.īack pain can range in intensity from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp or shooting pain. Back pain is one of most common reasons people see a doctor or miss days at work. If you have had lower back pain, you are not alone. What are the risk factors for developing low back pain?

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