Back Pain - Symptoms and Self-Assessment

 

Back Pain Overview

Back pain may be felt around the lower back, waist, or lower rib area and may occur on one or both sides.

Milder symptoms may feel like temporary aching, tightness, or soreness.

More severe pain may limit movement, sleep, walking, or daily activities.

 

Back pain can have many contributing factors, including prolonged or repetitive positions, reduced movement, heavy or awkward lifting, work or sports injuries, muscle strain, joint irritation, disc-related problems, and other medical conditions. Age-related changes in the spine become more common over time, but they do not cause pain in everyone. Seek urgent medical care for new bladder or bowel problems, numbness around the groin or buttocks, progressive leg weakness, fever, unexplained weight loss, severe pain after trauma, or pain with chest symptoms or difficulty breathing.