Hurts can you see

This means discs in the spine experience irritation more easily. You also lose some muscle tone, which makes the back more prone to injury. This is why strengthening your back muscles and using good body mechanics are helpful in preventing low back pain.

The muscles and ligaments in the back can stretch or tear due to excess activity. Symptoms include pain and stiffness in the lower back, as well as muscle spasms. Rest and physical therapy are remedies for these symptoms. The discs in the back are prone to injury. This risk increases with age. The outside of the disc can tear or herniate. A herniated disc , which is also known as a slipped or ruptured disc, occurs when the cartilage surrounding the disc pushes against the spinal cord or nerve roots.

The cushion that sits between the spinal vertebrae extends outside its normal position. This can result in compression of the nerve root as it exits from the spinal cord and through the vertebral bones. Disc injury usually occurs suddenly after lifting something or twisting the back. Unlike a back strain, pain from a disc injury usually lasts for more than 72 hours. Sciatica can occur with a herniated disc if the disc presses on the sciatic nerve.

The sciatic nerve connects the spine to the legs. As a result, sciatica can cause pain in the legs and feet. This pain usually feels like burning, or pins and needles. Spinal stenosis is when the spinal column narrows, putting pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerves.

Spinal stenosis is most commonly due to degeneration of the discs between the vertebrae. The result is compression of the nerve roots or spinal cord by bony spurs or soft tissues, such as discs. You might feel these symptoms anywhere in the body.

Many people with spinal stenosis notice their symptoms worsen when standing or walking. Scoliosis , kyphosis , and lordosis are all conditions that cause abnormal curvatures in the spine. These are congenital conditions that are usually first diagnosed during childhood or adolescence. The abnormal curvature causes pain and poor posture because it places pressure on:.

A physical exam can also determine if pain is affecting your range of motion. Your doctor may also check your reflexes and your responses to certain sensations. This determines if your low back pain is affecting your nerves. Unless you have concerning or debilitating symptoms or neurologic loss, your doctor will probably monitor your condition for a few weeks before sending you for testing.

This is because most low back pain resolves using simple self-care treatments. Likewise, if your low back pain continues after home treatment, your doctor may want to order additional tests. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of these symptoms in addition to low back pain.

If your doctor suspects a problem with the strength of the bones in your back, they may order a bone scan or bone density test. We offer injection therapy, including epidural injections, joint injections, and nerve blocks and ablation if your back pain fails to improve with the conservative treatments.

Duke Header Image Link. Stories and news about treatment advances that improve your health and quality of life. Why Does My Back Hurt? You should seek urgent medical care if you have: Fever associated with back pain Back pain after trauma Loss of bladder or bowel control Loss of strength in your arms and legs Unexplained weight loss associated with back pain Also, always be more cautious if you have special risk factors for cancer, infection, or fractures that may affect the spine.

Share: Facebook Twitter. Ready for an appointment? Doctors Featured in this Article. Featured Doctors Images. Related Doctors. See a Physiatrist Instead. By Morgan deBlecourt and Erin Hull. February 03, By Morgan deBlecourt.

Sprains and strains are a common cause of lower back pain. A sprain occurs when a person overstretches or tears a ligament, while doing the same to a tendon or muscle causes a strain.

Back sprains and strains can result from overuse, sports injuries, twisting awkwardly, or lifting something too heavy or improperly. Learn more about strains and sprains here. A person can often treat back sprains and strains at home with rest, ice packs, and over-the-counter OTC anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen.

Gently stretching and engaging in low-impact activities such as walking may help prevent the back muscles from becoming too tight. Receiving a forceful impact to the back can cause spinal damage in the form of vertebral fractures and herniated or ruptured discs. Possible causes of this can include falls, motor vehicle accidents, and sports injuries.

Back pain usually occurs almost immediately after the injury. Other symptoms may include tingling and numbness that radiates down the legs. The treatment options will depend on the type and severity of the injury. A person may be able to treat minor injuries at home with rest, ice, OTC pain relievers, and gentle stretching.

For people with more severe injuries, a doctor may recommend physical therapy , prescription medications, or surgery. Cauda equina syndrome is a rare condition that develops when something compresses or damages the cauda equina, which is a bundle of nerves in the lower part of the spinal cord. This condition typically results from a herniated disc , but other causes include spinal stenosis and fractures, infections, and tumors that affect the spine.

It can sometimes also occur as a complication of spinal surgery. Cauda equina syndrome is a medical emergency that can lead to serious complications if a person does not receive immediate treatment.

Doctors will generally recommend surgery to relieve pressure on the nerves. The spine and surrounding tissues can sometimes become infected with harmful bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Spinal infections can occur when infections from other parts of the body travel to the spine. They can also develop following injuries or spinal surgery, or as a complication of conditions such as diabetes , cancer , and HIV. Some examples of spinal infections include vertebral osteomyelitis , which is an infection of the spinal bones, and a spinal epidural abscess, which is an infection that develops in the protective membranes around the spinal cord.

Treatment depends on the cause but may include taking antibiotic or antifungal medications. For people with severe infections, a doctor may recommend surgery to relieve pressure on the spine and drain the infected area. These discs act as protective cushions, so when they degenerate, the vertebrae may start rubbing against each other, which can cause back pain. Learn more about degenerative disc disease here. Sciatica causes sharp back pain that radiates through the buttocks and down into the legs.

It occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes compressed. Causes can include spinal stenosis and a herniated or ruptured disc. Additional symptoms can include numbness or burning and tinging sensations that run down the leg.