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Back Pain Symptoms & Causes

Back Pain: Symptoms & Causes

A common cause of mild to severe lower back pain is often mechanical, such as a sudden movement during activities such as sports or home improvement projects. Learn more about the symptoms and causes of back pain ›

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Upper Back Pain

Upper back pain is any type of pain or discomfort throughout the back side of the chest and upper abdominal area. The upper back area includes the shoulder blades and where the rib cage connects to the thoracic (chest region)  spine. The upper back is also referred to as the middle back or the thoracic spine.

Most people will experience back pain at some point in their lives. However, upper back pain is not as common as lower back pain, which is the most common cause of job-related disability and absenteeism from work, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Upper back pain is not as common because the thoracic spine does not move as much as the spine in the lower back and neck.

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Back Pain

Low back pain can range from mild, dull, annoying pain, to persistent, severe, disabling pain in the lower back. Pain in the lower back can restrict mobility and interfere with normal functioning and quality of life.

Neck pain is pain that occurs in the area of the cervical vertebrae in the neck. Because of its location and range of motion, the neck is often left unprotected and subject to injury.

Pain in the back or neck area can be acute, which comes on suddenly and intensely, or chronic, which can last for weeks, months, or even years. The pain can be continuous or intermittent.

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Glossary of Back Pain Terms

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Acupuncture, Chemonucleolysis, Chiropractic, CT Scan, Epidural, Laminectomy, Lumbar, MRI, Nucleus Pulposus, Osteoporosis, Rupture, Scoliosis, Spinal Stenosis, Spondylolisthesis, Steroid, Vertebroplasty

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Did You Know?

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Many women experience back pain during pregnancy. According to the American Pregnancy Association, possible causes of back pain include increases in hormones that loosen the joints for childbirth; a change in center of gravity because of your developing baby; weight gained during pregnancy; poor posture made worse by pregnancy; and stress.

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