Nonspecific back pain


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skeletal spine
Skeletal spine
Spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis
Spine supporting structures
Spine supporting structures
Vertebra, cervical (neck)
Vertebra, cervical (neck)
Vertebra, lumbar (low back)
Vertebra, lumbar (low back)
Vertebra, thoracic (mid back)
Vertebra, thoracic (mid back)
Definition

Nonspecific back pain refers to pain in the back due to an unknown cause.


Alternative Names

Back pain - nonspecific


Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Back pain is one of the most common complaints treated by physicians. Nearly four out of five people will have back pain at some time in their life. Most of the time, the exact cause of the pain can not be found.

Back pain can develop in association with a number of causes, including muscle strain , injury to the back, overuse, muscle disorders, pressure on a nerve root, poor posture, and many others. Pregnant women, smokers, construction workers, and people who do repetitive lifting all have increased risk of back pain. (See also low back pain ).



Review Date: 09/26/2006
Reviewed By: Andrew L. Chen, M.D., M.S., Orthopedist, The Alpine Clinic, Littleton, NH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.


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