The Basics
Here's one problem you can't turn your back on! But you can get some relief from knowing that very few people turn out to have a major problem or a dangerous medical condition involving the bones or joints of the back. In fact, often the exact cause of a person's back pain can't be pinpointed exactly. Many cases result from everyday activities and clear up by themselves within a relatively short time period. Whether your back pain requires a doctor's care or not, chances are you'll be "back" to normal in (almost) no time.

Description
Back pain may be blamed on poor muscle tone in the back, muscle tension or spasm, back sprains, ligament or muscle tears, and/or joint problems. If you have a so-called "slipped disc" in your spinal column, you may suffer buttock or leg pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs due to irritation of nerves from the spinal cord. Emotional stress or long periods of inactivity may worsen back pain.

People in poor physical condition (including obesity) or those who do work that includes heavy labor or long periods of sitting or standing have a higher risk of developing low back problems; they also get better more slowly.

Occasionally back pain can be due to other conditions. These include arthritis, ulcers or other intestinal problems, kidney disease, pregnancy or other gynecological conditions, heart disease, and cancer. If back pain seems unrelated to an injury or activity, or is in any other way unusual, a visit to the doctor is recommended.

Symptoms
Back pain is usually confined to the lower back, but it may extend to other areas, particularly the legs. Affected parts of the back may feel tender or sore to the touch, and the pain may increase with movement. Pain can be felt as sharp or knife-like, a burning sensation, or as a dull muscular ache. Symptoms can range from mildly uncomfortable to completely disabling.

Treatment
Most episodes of mild back pain will improve without any medical intervention. Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can provide temporary relief. It's a good idea to avoid overly strenuous or repetitive activity, but bed rest should generally be avoided. In fact, numerous clinical trials have confirmed that continued activity and prescribed exercises reduce back discomfort and result in more rapid recovery. In addition, a good exercise program may help prevent recurrence -- common with back pain. Check with your doctor if your symptoms worsen or don't improve rapidly.

Other helpful back-pain treatments include physical therapy, massage, and spinal manipulation. In addition, a panel from the National Institutes of Health has concluded that acupuncture may be useful as one form of treatment in a comprehensive management program for back pain. Surgical treatment of back pain is dictated not by the sufferer's degree of discomfort but by the type of structural problem that is causing the pain. In some cases, surgery can be a highly effective option.