Back pain is one of the most common medical complaints among both men and women, and it can be caused by an array of factors, including lifestyle or personal issues like jobs that require long periods of standing or sitting, repetitive activities like bending and lifting, poor posture, being overweight or leading a sedentary lifestyle. Traumatic injuries from car accidents or slip-and-fall accidents are also common causes of back pain, as well as related symptoms like headaches, neck pain, or pain or numbness in the arms or legs. Many types of back pain are caused by underlying injuries or chronic conditions like arthritis, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, facet joint disease, osteoporosis, or spondylolisthesis. Many types of chronic pain are caused by degenerative conditions that tend to become worse with age. Having a thorough examination is critical for an accurate diagnosis so the most effective treatment can be provided.

Back pain treatment depends on the cause of the symptoms. Chronic pain due to lifestyle issues or muscle strain may be treated with physical therapy combined with pain medications and other approaches, like being more physically active, taking breaks at work, or losing excess weight. Other types of back pain including chronic pain caused by underlying medical conditions may respond to physical therapy and pain medication, or they may require more aggressive treatments including spinal injections, stem cell therapy, or minimally-invasive surgical procedures to relieve nerve impingements, restore the damaged area or stabilize the area of the spine where the pain is occurring.