Simple back pain

Back pain in 19 out of 20 people is linked to the way the bones, ligaments and muscles of the back work together. This is called simple back pain. The pain can begin suddenly but can also come on gradually due to strain over time. Usually nothing abnormal shows up in tests such as X-rays and nothing is permanently damaged.

Simple back pain is most common in adults aged 35 to 55 who are otherwise healthy. The pain is often in the lower back (lumbar region), and may also spread to the buttocks and thighs. It will come and go at different times, and depending on your level of activity.

Triggers for simple back pain include:

*poor posture
*standing or bending down for long periods
*sitting in a chair that doesn't provide enough back support
*lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling loads that are simply too heavy, or going
about these tasks in the wrong way
*a trip or a fall
Your spine is a very strong part of your body and is not easily damaged. If you have back pain, it's important that you stay physically active. This is good for your back because keeping active will help speed up your recovery from simple back pain. Nine out of ten people with back pain recover completely within six weeks.

Nerve root pain
Nerve root pain is rare - it's the cause in less than 1 in 20 cases of back pain. It is usually caused by one of the discs in the spine bulging out from its normal position. This is called a slipped disc.

Nerve root pain is normally felt in the lower part of the back. You may have pain down one or both of your legs to the calves, feet or toes. The pain is also called sciatica because the nerve that runs down each leg is called the sciatic nerve.

Other causes
In rare cases, there may be a more serious underlying cause of back pain, such as an abnormality of the spine, an infection or collapse of the vertebrae, tuberculosis or cancer.

These are more likely to be the case if your back pain starts gradually, gets worse over time and seems unrelated to your level of activity.

When to see a doctor
Most simple back pain only lasts a few days and gets better on its own. You should see a doctor as soon as possible if, as well as back pain, you have:

*fever
*redness or swelling on your back
*pain down your legs and below your knees
*numbness or weakness in one or both legs or around your anus
*loss of bladder or bowel control

You should also see your doctor about back pain if:

*pain is the result of an injury
*pain lasts for more than a few days in someone aged under 20 or over 55
*you have had cancer in any part of your body
*you have HIV/AIDS
*you have been prescribed steroid medicines for more than a few months