Back Pain: Common Types, Causes & Treatments

Key takeaways:

• Back pain can be dull, sharp, sudden, or gradual. It can occur in the upper, middle, or lower back.
• Common causes of back pain include muscle strain, arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis.
• Serious conditions associated with back pain include kidney stones, endometriosis, infections, fractures, and tumors.
• Good posture, strengthening exercises, stretching, and the use of hot and cold compresses can help you prevent or treat back pain.

Back pain is one of the most common ailments in the United States. In fact, more than ⅓ of American adults experience back pain each year. Despite its prevalence, back pain is notoriously difficult to treat. That’s because the causes of back pain can vary significantly and may not always be obvious.

Mild and occasional pain usually isn't cause for concern. However, chronic or severe pain is likely worth paying attention to. Below, we’ll discuss what back pain is, why it happens, and what it can look like. We’ll also explore how you can get short- and long-term relief from your pain using home remedies and treatments recommended by your doctor.

Back pain defined

Back pain can range from a constant dull ache to a sharp, sudden pain that comes and goes. The pain can be localized in the back, or it can also radiate down the arms or legs.

A case of back pain may start suddenly from an injury like a slip and fall, a motor vehicle accident, a sports injury, or lifting something very heavy. Other times, it may come on very gradually due to things like wear and tear, conditions like osteoarthritis, or weight gain.

Abnormal vs. normal back pain

It’s never considered “normal” to have back pain, but it is common. Occasional backaches that quickly resolve on their own may be a normal part of life. However, back pain that persists or comes and goes might be a sign of a chronic condition.

Overall, if the back pain is mild and lasts for less than 24 hours, it’s usually not cause for concern. Abnormal back pain tends to get worse, last for extended periods, or disrupt activities of daily living.

Health risks associated with back pain

There are other conditions associated with back pain that are health risks, including:

• Kidney disease. Kidney stones and infections can be associated with back pain.
• Spinal stenosis. Narrowing of the spinal canal causes back pain with extended walking or standing.
• Endometriosis. In people with vaginas, uterine tissue may grow outside the uterus, causing pelvic pain that radiates to the lower back.
• Fracture. A fracture of the vertebra can produce pain when bending over.
• Infection. Localized pain and tenderness could result from an infection.
• Cancer. Some tumors cause back pain.
• Fibromyalgia. A condition that involves generalized muscle aches and “trigger points” leading to back pain.
• Disc herniation. Usually occurs in the neck or lower back. In addition to back pain, there can be symptoms in the arms or legs consisting of numbness, tingling, or weakness.

Main types of back pain

The main types of back pain depend on the location where it’s present. Low back pain is the most common type, but there is also middle back pain and upper back pain. Let’s take a closer look at each.

Low back pain

Low back pain the most common type of back pain and may affect anyone from workers to students and athletes.

In other words, it occurs in people with all types of professions, hobbies, and activities. Low back pain typically affects the area between the hips or buttocks and the middle of the spine.

Middle back pain

Pain in the mid-back area is not as common as lower back pain, but it does happen.

People who play tennis and golf are more likely to experience middle back pain than other athletes due to the twisting in those sports.

Upper back pain

Upper back pain most occurs in either or both of the trapezius muscles that together appear as a cape on the upper back.

This is common in people with office jobs who sit at their desks and use a keyboard and computer all day.

Back pain symptoms

The most common back pain symptom is pain itself. However, different kinds of pain can point to different underlying causes. In some cases, other symptoms might come with back pain and clue you into what’s really going on.

Pain

The most common symptom of back pain is pain. However, there can be different kinds of pain, including:

• Sharp
• Dull
• Stabbing
• Aching
• Throbbing

Numbness and tingling

When back pain has a cause that places pressure on a nerve, it can cause numbness and tingling of the back, arms, or legs.

Shooting pains

The sciatic nerve runs from the hip area through the buttocks down the legs. With moderate pressure on the sciatic nerve, there can be shooting pain down the legs.

Spasms

Spasms occur when the muscle contracts and does not relax. It’s forceful, sudden, involuntary, and uncontrolled. The slang term for a muscle spasm is “charley-horse.”

Common causes of back pain

The most common cause of back pain is muscle strain. Other causes include arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis.

Muscle strain

This is one of the most common causes of back pain. When the muscles stretch too much, the muscle fibers tear, leading to back pain.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition that causes swelling and tenderness in one or more joints. When arthritis affects joints near or in the back area, it can lead to inflammation and back pain. Numerous types of arthritis exist, including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Gout
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis

Degenerative disc disease

The spinal discs are positioned between the vertebrae and act as cushions. When they become worn, the vertebrae grind on each other, press on nerves, and cause pain.

Spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal where the spinal cord and nerves pass. When the canal is narrowed, there can be pressure on the nerves and cord, leading to pain.

How to get short-term relief from back pain

To obtain short-term relief from back pain, you can try ice, rest, and heat. It might also help to take over-the-counter medications that treat pain and related symptoms.

Ice

If you get back pain, the immediate application of ice can completely relieve the pain.

A reusable cold pack that is kept in the freezer is the ideal way to apply ice. If you don’t have one, you can use a bag of frozen peas or a frozen steak. A hard cooler pack can work, too.

Apply the ice or cold compress to the affected area for about 15 to 20 minutes at a time, and be sure to wrap it in a towel to protect your skin.

Rest

When back pain develops, immediately resting may be enough to eliminate the pain.

If you are doing a certain activity that causes pain, just stop that activity. If you still have pain, you can follow that by sitting or lying down to see if that eliminates the pain.

Heat

If your back pain is due to muscle soreness, tightness, or spasms, some immediate heat can give you the relief you need, especially when the muscles are very tight.

An electrical moist heat pad is a great option for applying heat. There are also special towels that you can place in the microwave. You can also use a whirlpool or sauna if one is available.

Medications (over-the-counter)

Sometimes, taking Tylenol, aspirin, or ibuprofen will be enough to get short-term relief from back pain.

Tylenol can be taken with or without food, but aspirin and ibuprofen need to be taken with food since they can have gastrointestinal (GI) side effects.

How to prevent back pain

To prevent back pain, you can make lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of straining your muscles. You can also work on strengthening your muscles and improving their flexibility.

Maintain good posture

Good posture is important with anything that you’re doing. This can be walking, running, weightlifting, sitting, sleeping, reading, or just standing.

Poor posture will place pressure on the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, which could lead to back pain.

Stretching and strengthening

Stretching and strengthening the muscles is very important; you want to keep them loose and strong at the same time to decrease the likelihood of developing back pain.

A stretching program combined with a weightlifting program is ideal. Some exercise programs like yoga combine both of these aspects.

Heat and ice

Before doing an activity like sports or going to work, it can be very helpful to apply heat and then apply ice afterward.

Even if there is no pain afterward, there could be inflammation at the microscopic level that could respond to ice, reducing pain at a later time.

When you should see a doctor about back pain

If your back pain isn’t severe and goes away quickly on its own, you may not need to seek medical attention. However, symptoms that persist, worsen, or come with other changes likely require treatment from a healthcare professional.

You should see a doctor if:

Reach out to your doctor if you experience one or more of the following:

• Back pain that is so severe that you can’t move.
• Back pain that lasts for more than a few weeks.
• Back pain that is not relieved by usual methods like ice, heat, rest, or over-the-counter medicines.
• Numbness or tingling in your arms or legs.

You should go to the emergency room if:

Some symptoms should not be ignored and may indicate you need immediate medical attention, including:

• Shooting pains in your arms or legs.
• Weakness in your arms or legs.
• Loss of bowel or bladder control.

Questions to ask your doctor about back pain

• Do you know what’s causing my back pain?
• Are there certain muscles involved?
• Should we get X-rays or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test?
• What can I do to prevent or manage my back pain symptoms?

How a doctor may help treat back pain

There are many ways a doctor can help treat back pain, including prescription medications. In addition, a doctor can order imaging studies, perform injections, and even perform surgery as needed to address the underlying causes of back pain.

Prescription medications

A doctor may be able to prescribe medicines that are stronger than the over-the-counter medications; these include anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxers, and pain pills.

Imaging studies

One of the treatments for back pain is to get full imaging studies consisting of X-rays, a computed tomography (CT) scan, or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test. Once these imaging studies are obtained, it will be easier to make an exact diagnosis. 

Injections

Some doctors with specialized training can do injections with local steroids or numbing agents like lidocaine. They can be injected right into the muscle, joint, or disc area.

Surgery

In rare cases, surgery is needed for back pain. These are usually reserved in cases of disc disease.

Read our full guide on treating back pain for more.

Frequently asked questions: back pain

Here are some frequently asked questions related to back pain, including when back pain is serious, how long it lasts, and what kinds of specialists treat back pain.

How do you know if back pain is serious?

You know back pain is serious when it does not go away after several days and does not allow you to perform the activities of daily living. These issues point to pain that’s serious enough to warrant immediate attention.

How long does back pain last?

There is no certain amount of time that back pain lasts, as it can be minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, or years. It just depends on the situation and the person.

What specialists can help treat back pain?

Specialists who treat back pain include:

• Orthopedists, who are bone specialists
• Physiatrists, who are rehab specialists
• Neurosurgeons, who operate on the spine.

Final thoughts on back pain

Back pain can occur in several different locations, including the lower, middle, and upper back. Treating back pain can be tricky, as it can have many potential causes, some of which may not be immediately clear.

If you have mild back pain and resolve it on its own, you likely have nothing to worry about. However, persistent or severe pain is always something worth paying attention to. Talking to a doctor can help you understand what’s causing your pain, your treatment options, and how you can prevent the pain from coming back.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Lane Thaut, DO.

Sources

Lucas, J.W., Connor, E.M. and Bose, J. “Back, lower limb, and upper limb pain among U.S. adults, 2019.” NCHS Data Brief, no 415. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics, 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db415.htm.

Branch, NIAMS Science Communications and Outreach. “Back Pain.” National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIAMS, 10 Apr. 2017, https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/back-pain.

Casiano, Vincent E., et al. “Back Pain.” StatPearls [Internet], StatPearls Publishing, 2023. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK538173/.