Back pain

Back pain (also known "dorsalgia") is pain felt in the back that usually originates from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine.

The pain can often be divided into neck pain, upper back pain, lower back pain or tailbone pain. It may have a sudden onset or can be a chronic pain; it can be constant or intermittent, stay in one place or radiate to other areas. It may be a dull ache, or a sharp or piercing or burning sensation. The pain may be felt in the neck (and might radiate into the arm and hand), in the upper back, or in the low back, (and might radiate into the leg or foot), and may include symptoms other than pain, such as weakness, numbness or tingling.

Classification of Back pain

Back pain can be divided anatomically:

• neck pain
• upper back pain
• lower back pain or tailbone pain.

By its duration:

• acute ( less then 4 weeks )
• subacute ( 4 - 12 weeks )
• chronic ( greater then 12 weeks ).