Nonspecific back pain refers to pain in the back due to an unknown cause.

Back pain - nonspecific

Back pain is one of the most common complaints treated by physicians. Nearly four out of five people will have back pain at some time in their life. Most of the time, the exact cause of the pain can not be found.

Back pain can develop in association with a number of causes, including muscle strain , injury to the back, overuse, muscle disorders, pressure on a nerve root, poor posture, and many others. Pregnant women, smokers, construction workers, and people who do repetitive lifting all have increased risk of back pain. (See also low back pain ).

Images

Vertebra, thoracic (mid back)

Vertebra, lumbar (low back)

Spine supporting structures

Skeletal spine

Spinal stenosis

Vertebra, cervical (neck)

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Nonspecific back pain Symptoms

Review Date: 09/26/2006
Reviewed By: Andrew L. Chen, M.D., M.S., Orthopedist, The Alpine Clinic, Littleton, NH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)