NINDS Back Pain Information Page



NINDS Back Pain Information Page

Condensed from Low Back Pain Fact Sheet. Available at

What is Back Pain?

Back pain is a symptom that can arise from many causes. It can range from a dull, annoying ache to absolute agony. Many cases of back pain are caused by stresses on the muscles and ligaments that support the spine. Sedentary jobs and lifestyles may create a vulnerability to this type of stress or damage. Obesity, which increases both the weight on the spine and the pressure on the discs, is another factor. Strenuous sports such as football and gymnastics can also damage the back.

Is there any treatment?

Limited rest combined with appropriate exercise and education is often the primary mode of therapy. Nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs - alone or in combination with steroid injections, analgesics, muscle relaxants, or anti-depressants - may be added to the therapy program. Acute back pain often goes away by itself in a few days or weeks. An ice bag or hot water bottle applied to the back may also help to alleviate pain. Prolonged bed rest is not beneficial because it weakens muscles. A physician should be notified immediately if there is no relief from pain after a few days in bed, if pain is severe or recurs, if radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakening occurs in the arms or legs, if bowel or bladder dysfunction occurs, if a child or elderly person has back pain, or if fever and/or vomiting occurs with back pain.

What is the prognosis?

Recommendations for preventing initial and recurring episodes of back pain include: regular exercise, stretching before participation in sporting activities, quitting smoking, losing weight, maintaining correct posture, using comfortable, supportive seats while driving, sleeping on the side with knees drawn up or on the back with a pillow under bent knees, lifting by bending at the knees rather than the waist, avoiding standing or working in any one position for too long, and reducing emotional stress that causes muscle tension.

What research is being done?

Within the NINDS research programs, back pain is addressed primarily through studies associated with general pain research. NINDS vigorously pursues a research program seeking new treatments for pain and nerve damage with the ultimate goal of reversing debilitating conditions such as back pain.

Organizations

|American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA) |National Chronic Pain Outreach Association (NCPOA) |

|P.O. Box 850 |P.O. Box 274 |

|Rocklin, CA   95677-0850 |Millboro, VA   24460 |

|ACPA@ |ncpoa@ |

| | |

|Tel: 916-632-0922 800-533-3231 |Tel: 540-862-9437 |

|Fax: 916-632-3208 |Fax: 540-862-9485 |

|American Pain Foundation |National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases |

|201 North Charles Street |Information Clearinghouse |

|Suite 710 |1 AMS Circle |

|Baltimore, MD   21201-4111 |Bethesda, MD   20892-3675 |

|info@ |NIAMSinfo@mail. |

| | |

|Tel: 888-615-PAIN (7246) 410-783-7292 |Tel: 877-22-NIAMS (226-4267) 301-565-2966 (TTY) |

|Fax: 410-385-1832 |Fax: 301-718-6366 |

|American Association of Neurological Surgeons |American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons/ American Association of |

|5550 Meadowbrook Drive |Orthopaedic Surgeons |

|Rolling Meadows, IL   14209-1194 |6300 North River Road |

|info@ |Rosemont, IL   60018 |

| |hackett@ |

|Tel: 847-378-0500/888-566-AANS (2267) | |

|Fax: 847-378-0600 |Tel: 847-823-7186 |

| |Fax: 847-823-8125 |

|American Academy of Family Physicians |Alzheimer's Association |

|11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway |225 North Michigan Avenue |

|Leawood, KS   66211-2672 |17th Floor |

|fp@ |Chicago, IL   60601-7633 |

| |info@ |

|Tel: 913-906-6000/800-274-2237 | |

| |Tel: 312-335-8700 800-272-3900 |

| |Fax: 312-335-1110 |

|American Academy of Neurological and Orthopaedic Surgeons |American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation |

|2300 South Rancho Dr. |One IBM Plaza |

|#202 |Suite 2500 |

|Las Vegas, NV   89102 |Chicago, IL   60611-3604 |

|aanos@ | |

| |Tel: 312-464-9700 |

|Tel: 702-388-7390 |Fax: 312-464-0227 |

|Fax: 702-388-7395 | |

Related NINDS Publications and Information

• Low Back Pain Fact Sheet

Back Pain information sheet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

• Chronic Pain: Hope Through Research

Chronic pain information page compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Prepared by:

Office of Communications and Public Liaison

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

National Institutes of Health

Bethesda, MD 20892

NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.

All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.

Last updated February 09, 2005

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