Some common causes of back pain are:

• Stretched or strained muscles in the back
• Injuries (such as from a fall) that cause trauma to muscles, bones or other tissues in the back
• Herniated (or "slipped") disks (this occurs when part of a disk that provides cushioning between two vertebrae - the bony structures that make up the backbone or spinal column - bulges out, which can cause pressure on surrounding tissue, such as nerves)
• Osteoporosis (decreased density of the bones) - can cause vertebrae to become fractured or compressed
• Being overweight
• Bad posture
• Being pregnant

Back pain can be a symptom of a number of other medical problems. Therefore, your doctor may ask you a number of questions about other symptoms you may be experiencing along with your back pain.

Self-Help Ideas for Easing Back Pain:

• Short periods of rest lying flat on your back with your knees raised (by a pillow, for example); long periods of bed rest may weaken the muscles, adding to the problem and increasing the time to recover
• Limited rest combined with gentle exercise and lighter than normal activities
• Taking nonprescription pain relievers and/or anti-inflammatory medications following the manufacturer's instructions

Consult your doctor if the above strategies do not work for you. Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs that relax the muscles, and/or painkillers. Under severe conditions, back pain caused by structural problems with the backbone may require surgery.

Protecting Your Back When Lifting:

• Lift with leg muscles, not back muscles; bend your knees (by squatting down to pick up object) not your waist or back
• Keep back straight (do not bend over) while lifting
• Keep the weight of what you are lifting close to your body
• Do not twist when lifting

Preventing Back Pain:

• Get regular exercise
• Stretch before exercise and other physical activities
• Do exercises to strengthen and make back muscles more flexible
• Do exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles
• Always keep a good posture when standing and sitting
• Avoid standing or being in one position for too long a period of time
• Lose weight if you are overweight

When to See a Doctor:

If you experience:

• Severe pain that makes it difficult to move
• Fever and/or vomiting with the back pain
• Pain, numbness, or tingling in another part of your body
• Weakness in another part of your body
• Bowel problems or bladder problems, such as losing control of going to the bathroom
• Pain that lasts for more than three to four days

What Kinds of Problems Might cause Neck Pain?

Treatment for any neck condition is recommended as soon as possible to minimize the danger of further aggravation. The following is a list of only some of the conditions that may cause neck pain and is not a substitute for a visit to your doctor:

• Radiculopathy - A pinched nerve, often from a herniated, or slipped, disk. This causes pain down the arm that's often described as an electrical feeling.
• Myofascial Pain - Generally an aching pain in muscles that tends to be associated with poor posture, sitting at a computer or other job-related tasks. Patients can become sore in different parts of the body like the neck and arms, and often patients report they have difficulty sleeping or feeling restored from sleep.
• Spinal Stenosis - A narrowing of the nerve openings either around the spinal cord or nerve roots that can cause symptoms similar to a pinched nerve. The pain is described either as an aching or an electrical feeling down the arm.
• Tendon, Ligament and Soft Tissue Pain - Localized pain when an area is stretched or its muscles are overused. This results in tenderness.
• Spinal Instability - Increased motion between vertebra, usually resulting from an injury. The pain typically feels like tingling in the neck or arms.
• Non-Spinal Causes of Neck Pain - Pain imitating a neck injury, but from another cause. Shoulder and elbow injuries and gall bladder disease are examples of problems that can refer pain to the neck area.
• Repetitive Strain Injury - An injury that occurs from a chronically used part of the body, either in a normal or abnormal way. These problems are often found in people who sit at desks or work at computers.

Treatment Options

The rehabilitation of neck injuries occurs in three phases. During the first phase, called the acute phase, physiatrists treat pain and inflammation. After they make a specific diagnosis and develop a treatment plan, physiatrists may offer treatment options like ultrasound, electrical stimulation, mobilization, medication, ice and even specialized injections.

In the second, or recovery, phase of treatment, flexibility and strength are developed to get the body parts into their proper positions. The goal of this phase is to get you back to your usual work, sports and leisure activities. This goal is achieved through specially designed exercises that rebuild the body.

The main goal of the third phase of treatment, the maintenance phase, is to minimize recurrence of the problem and to prevent further injury. This often consists of a total body fitness program, designed to maintain body mechanics and increase endurance after the original symptoms have resolved.

These are very broad and general approaches to the treatment of neck pain. The physiatrist that you choose will develop an individual treatment plan for you.