It is the pain felt in the lower or upper back.

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Causes of back pain
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The human back is composed of a complex structure of muscles, ligaments, tendons, disks and
bones - the segments of our spine are cushioned with cartilage-like pads called disks. Problems with
any of these components can lead to back pain. In some cases of back pain, its cause is never found.
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The most common causes of back pain are:
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Structural problems - the following structural problems may also result in back pain:
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Ruptured disks - each vertebra in our spine is cushioned by disks. If the disk ruptures there will be
more pressure on a nerve, resulting in back pain.
Bulging disks - in much the same way as ruptured disks, a bulging disk can result in more pressure on
a nerve.
Sciatica - a sharp and shooting pain that travels through the buttock and down the back of the leg,
caused by a bulging or herniated disk pressing on a nerve.
Arthritis - patients with osteoarthritis commonly experience problems with the joints in the hips,
lower back, knees and hands. In some cases spinal stenosis can develop, which is the term used to
describe when the space around the spinal cord narrows.
Abnormal curvature of the spine - if the spine curves in an unusual way the patient is more likely to
experience back pain. An example is scoliosis, a condition in which the spine curves to the side.
Osteoporosis - bones, including the vertebrae of the spine, become brittle and porous, making
compression fractures more likely.
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Back pain can also be the result of some everyday activity or poor posture. Examples include:
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§ Adopting a very hunched sitting position when using computers can result in increased back and
shoulder problems over time.
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Bending awkwardly
Pushing something
Pulling something
Carrying something
Lifting something
Standing for long periods
Bending down for long periods
Twisting
Coughing
Sneezing
Muscle tension
Over-stretching
Straining the neck forward, such as when driving or using a computer
Long driving sessions without a break, even when not hunched
Bad mattress - if a mattress does not support specific parts of the body and keep the spine straight,
there is a greater risk of developing back pain.
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Risk factors
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A mentally stressful job
Pregnancy - pregnant women are much more likely to get back pain
A sedentary lifestyle
Age - older adults are more susceptible than young adults or children
Anxiety
Depression
Gender - back pain is more common among females than males
Obesity and overweight
Smoking
Strenuous physical exercise (especially if not done properly)
Strenuous physical work.
Sleep disorders - individuals with sleep disorders are more likely to experience back pain, compared
to others
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Signs and symptoms
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The main symptom of back pain is, as the name suggests, an ache or pain anywhere on the back, and
sometimes all the way down to the buttocks and legs. Some back issues can cause pain in other
parts of the body, depending on the nerves affected.
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In most cases, signs and symptoms clear up on their own within a short period.
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If any of the following signs or symptoms accompanies a back pain, people should see their doctor:
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Weight loss
Elevated body temperature (fever)
Inflammation (swelling) on the back
Persistent back pain - lying down or resting does not help
Pain down the legs
Pain reaches below the knees
A recent injury, blow or trauma to the back
Urinary incontinence - you tend to urinate unintentionally (even small amounts)
Difficulty urinating - passing urine is hard
Fecal incontinence - you lose your bowel control
Numbness around the genitals
Numbness around the anus
Numbness around the buttocks
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Treatment
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In the vast majority of cases back pain resolves itself without medical help - just with careful
attention and home treatment.
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Applying a hot compress or an ice pack to the painful area may also relieve pain.
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Resting is helpful, but should not usually last more than a couple of days. Too much rest may actually
be counterproductive by allowing muscles to weaken, which can lead to further episodes of back
pain in the future.
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Usually back pain is categorized into two types:
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Acute - back pain comes on suddenly and persists for a maximum of three months.
Chronic - the pain gradually develops over a longer period, lasts for over three months, and causes
long-term problems.
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A considerable percentage of patients with back pain experience both occasional bouts of more
intense pain as well as more-or-less continuous mild back pain, making it harder to determine
whether they have acute or chronic back pain.
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Treatment and Prevention:
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Exercise - regular exercise helps build strength as well as keeping the body weight down. Experts say
that low-impact aerobic activities are best; activities that do not strain or jerk the back. Before
starting any exercise program, talk to a health care professional.
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There are two main types of exercise that people can do to reduce the risk of back pain:
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Core-strengthening exercises- exercises that work the abdominal and back muscles, helping to
strengthen muscles that protect the back.
Flexibility - exercises aimed at improving flexibility of the core, including the spine, hips, and upper
legs, may help too.
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Yoga-
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Asanas like cobra pose (bhujangasan), bharadvaja’s twist, big toe pose (padangusthasana), chair
pose (utkatasana), cat pose (marjaryasana), cow pose (bitilasana), extended triangle pose (utthita
trikonasana), downward facing dog (adho mukha svanasana), etc. help strengthen and stretch the
back.
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It’s important to understand the reason for back pain first before advising these asanas for pain
relief.
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Make sure one does these yoga asanas after checking with health care professional/doctor.
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Body weight - the amount of weight people carry, as well as where they carry it, affects the risk of
developing back pain. The difference in back pain risk between obese and normal-weight individuals
is considerable. People who carry their weight in the abdominal area versus the buttocks and hip
area are also at greater risk. Hence, weight management is of prime importance.
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Posture when standing - make sure you have a neutral pelvic position. Stand upright, head facing
forward, back straight, and balance your weight evenly on both feet - keep your legs straight and
your head in line with your spine.
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Posture when sitting - a good seat should have good back support, arm rests and a swivel base (for
working). When sitting try to keep your knees and hips level and keep your feet flat on the floor - if
you can't, use a footstool. You should ideally be able to sit upright with support in the small of your
back. If you are using a keyboard, make sure your elbows are at right-angles and that your forearms
are horizontal.
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Lifting things - the secret for protecting your back when lifting things is to think "legs not back". In
other words, use your legs to do the lifting, more than your back.
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Keep your back as straight as you can, keeping your feet apart with one leg slightly forward so you
can maintain balance. Bend only at the knees, hold the weight close to your body, and straighten the
legs while changing the position of your back as little as possible.
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Bending your back initially is unavoidable, but when you bend your back try not to stoop or squat,
and be sure to tighten your stomach muscles so that your pelvis is pulled in. Most important, do not
straighten your legs before lifting; otherwise you will be using your back for most of the work.
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Do not lift and twist at the same time. If something is particularly heavy, see if you can lift it with
someone else. While you are lifting keep looking straight ahead, not up nor down, so that the back
of your neck is like a continuous straight line from your spine.
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Moving things - remember that it is better for your back to push things across the floor, using your
leg strength, rather than pulling them.
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Shoes - flat shoes place less of a strain on the back.
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Driving - it is important to have proper support for your back. Make sure the wing mirrors are
properly positioned so you do not need to twist. The pedals should be squarely in front of your feet.
If you are on a long journey, have plenty of breaks - get out of the car and walk around.
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The bed - you should have a mattress that keeps your spine straight, while at the same time
supporting the weight of your shoulders and buttocks. Use a pillow, but not one that forces your
neck into a steep angle.