Constant back pain can be caused by poor posture, muscle strain, disc problems, or arthritis. See a doctor if it lasts more than a few weeks.
Common causes
- Poor posture.
- Muscle or ligament strain.
- Herniated disc.
- Arthritis.
- Spinal stenosis.
- Osteoporosis.
- Stress.
Chronic
Pain lasting over 12 weeks is chronic. About 8% of US adults have chronic back pain.
What helps
Stay active, strengthen your core and use heat.
See a doctor
If pain is constant, at night or with numbness.
Emergency
Loss of bladder or bowel control.
Chronic back pain facts
Chronic back pain lasts more than 12 weeks. Around 20 percent of people with acute low back pain develop chronic pain, according to NIH. About 8 percent of US adults reported chronic back pain in recent surveys, with higher rates after age 45.
- Causes include degenerative disc disease, arthritis, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, muscle imbalance, obesity and weak core muscles.
- Psychological stress, depression and poor sleep amplify pain.
- Imaging findings such as disc bulges are common in people without pain, so MRI is used only when red flags are present.
What helps
Guidelines from the American College of Physicians recommend heat, massage, acupuncture, yoga, tai chi, exercise therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy as first options, and NSAIDs if drugs are needed. Staying active is better than bed rest. See a doctor for pain with weight loss, fever, night pain, numbness or weakness. Loss of bladder or bowel control needs emergency care.
Chronic back pain facts
Back pain lasting more than 12 weeks is chronic. About 8 percent of US adults have chronic back pain according to the CDC. Causes include degenerative disc disease, muscle weakness, arthritis and posture.
What helps
Exercise, physical therapy, weight control and stress management are recommended before surgery. Warning signs like numbness, weakness or bladder problems need urgent care.
Common drivers of chronic pain
Chronic low back pain stems from disc degeneration, facet joint arthritis, spinal stenosis, muscle deconditioning and central sensitization. Obesity, smoking, sedentary work and depression raise risk. A Lancet series reported that back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting 619 million people in 2020.
Evidence based treatment
The American College of Physicians recommends non drug approaches first: exercise, yoga, tai chi, acupuncture, massage and cognitive behavioral therapy. NSAIDs are first line medication. Opioids are not recommended routinely. Imaging is not needed unless red flags exist.
Based on data from The Lancet and the American College of Physicians
