Back pain consists of any pain, stiffness and/or discomfort in parts of the back ranging from the lower neck to the lower back. Pain in the back can be presented differently based on severity, duration and etiology.
Back pain can be acute or chronic and may present as dull pain or sharp pain or both depending on the cause of the pain. The pain may also be accompanied by neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling and/or weakness in some cases.
The back is classically categorized into three regions of upper back, middle back and lower back.
Types of Back Pain include:
- Lower Back Pain
- Middle Back Pain
- Upper Back pain
Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain can be acute (lasting less than 6 months) or chronic (more than 6 months).
It may be mechanical, due to issues with the spine, or discs, or non-mechanical, like pain from kidney stones. If untreated, acute pain may become chronic, leading to persistent low back pain.
Middle Back Pain
The middle back, or thoracic spine, generally has less mobility and is less prone to issues like disc herniations and muscle strains.
However, postural strain, accidents, rib joint dysfunctions, or scapular issues can cause mid-back pain, limiting the ease of daily activities.
Upper Back Pain
Upper back pain affects the upper thoracic and lower cervical spine regions and often includes the upper trapezius and levator muscles.
Many cases of upper back or even neck pain stem from prolonged postural strain and muscle fatigue due to immobility.
Suffering from Upper, Middle, or Lower Back Pain?
Book your treatment session with our chiropractors and physiotherapists!
Causes of Back Pain
Based on the regions affected, the etiology of the back pain varies significantly. Most common causes of back pain include:
- Spinal Stenosis
- Disc Herniations and Disc Bulge Pain
- Postural-related Back Pain
- Nerve Roots Impingements
- Visceral-referred Back Pain
Back Pain Treatments at Fulcrum Therapy
At Fulcrum Therapy, we have access to various treatment modalities and tools to bring relief for your back pain.
As you can see, the treatment options for back pain are numerous but we do not expect you to know what will work for you the best.
When you make an appointment with one of our practitioners, we perform a thorough history and exam to determine a diagnosis for your specific back pain condition.
We discuss your options, explain your diagnosis and ensure your comfort level is prioritized with any type of recommended modality for treatment of your back pain.
