Chronic Back Pain

Chronic Back Pain Studies

WHAT IS CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN?

Chronic low back pain is long-term pain, stiffness, or decreased range and mobility of the back. The causes of this pain can be many things, from injury to osteoarthritis. It is typically characterized by a persistent pain or stiffness and difficulty standing upright for long periods of time. Over the counter medications may not be effective in treating such pain.

Research continues to reveal important information about how chronic pain works, how to treat it, and how to help people manage it. While it’s not common for pain to disappear entirely, it can be reduced so it has less impact on your life. Just as important, management strategies can help you function better despite a certain level of pain that may remain.

Eight in 10 Americans experience back pain at some point in their lives, and lower back pain is the most common form. The discomfort can range from a steady, dull ache to sudden, sharp sensation, and finding relief usually depends on the source of the pain.

Our backs are made of the spine (consisting of 30 vertebrae and discs), nerves, muscles, and tendons, which means the exact cause of the pain isn’t always obvious, even to the person experiencing it.

Causes

Chronic back pain can develop from an injury, surgery, infection, or other medical conditions. For example:

After an injury or surgery, nerve fibers can change so they no longer function properly.
Certain areas of the brain can change over time, so the brain creates pain signals on its own.
An ongoing medical condition such as rheumatoid arthritis can continue to cause pain for some people. In some cases, what started the pain or why it continues isn’t clear.