Low back pain
is pain felt in the back. Back pain can be divided into neck pain (cervical), middle back pain (thoracic), lower back pain (lumbar) or coccydynia (tailbone or sacral pain) based on the segment affected.
Questions
What are the different types of back pain?
Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder causing back pain in the lumbar (lower) vertebrae. It can be either acute, subacute or chronic.
Lumbar back pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder causing back pain in the lumbar (lower) vertebrae. It can be either acute, subacute or chronic.
Chronic back pain is pain that persists for a long time (usually more than 3 to 6 months). If you are experiencing chronic back pain, you should seek medical advice.
Acute back pain is pain that lasts a short while, usually a few days to several weeks.
Upper back pain is also called middle or thoracic pain and is pain that is felt between the base of the neck and top of the lumbar spine.
Idiopathic back pain is pain that does not have an identifiable cause. Investigations indicate that most back pain is idiopathic.
