Back pain affects 80% of Americans at some time in their lives. It comes in many forms, from lower back to neck pain to sciatica. Back pain is not a diagnosis, rather it is a symptom of an underlying problem.

Common causes include nerve problems, disc problems, osteoarthritis, and muscular problems. It is a common problem often caused by overusing or misusing the back muscles. Many people find relief through stretching exercises or alternative therapies like yoga, but chronic back pain may require medication and more intensive treatment.

The signs and symptoms of a more serious back injury are severe pain, an "electrical" shooting pain down one or both legs, inability to touch the toes without severe pain, pain radiating down one or both legs, one or both legs do not seem to function properly, or the inability to run due to leg weakness.

There are also other warning signs that may indicate a problem that needs immediate evaluation: Your back pain persists beyond a few days or awakens you at night. You have difficulty controlling your bowels or bladder. You have a fever, chills, sweats, or other signs of infection.

See a doctor if the pain gets worse, or persists more than 4-6 weeks, or if you develop any worrying symptoms (such as those listed above). Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyze your condition further.

Often, getting a diagnosis of the underlying cause of low back pain and related symptoms is quite complex. Your doctor may order x-rays or other studies if your specific symptoms indicate a need for these tests or if your pain does not go away in 4-6 weeks. Most of the time, the longer you have symptoms before you start treatment, the longer it will take to get better.

In the acute stages, some treatments help most people. Painkillers taken regularly will ease pain whilst you are getting back to normal activities. Early research suggests a combination of spinal manipulation, general exercise and active management, or specific treatments while you return to normal activities, may produce most benefits.

Seek specialist help as early as possible, when treatment is most effective, and before acute problems become chronic. For any one condition, it may be necessary to try a variety of treatments in order to find the best one to best manage the pain. For specific medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment, consult with your doctor.