"The aim of the wise is not to secure pleasure, but to avoid pain"

Aristotle

BACK PAIN RESOURCE CENTRE

Back pain is a very common symptom which plagues most people at some point in their lives. Fortunately, most episodes are acute and self-limiting. Occasionally however, it can become chronic and debilitating.

Back pain may arise from different structures in the back. Most commonly, they are muscular strains and sprains, from poor posture and lifting of heavy loads.  Typically, these muscular pains occur at the most mobile sections of the spine – the neck and lower back.

BACK PAIN - CAUSES

There are a whole host of reasons why you may be experiencing back pain.  It may be a consequence of daily activity (such as prolonged sitting at the office), an acute injury (such as carrying a heavy object), or a more sinister underlying condition.

Possible causes of back pain would include:

• Muscle and ligament strains

• Degenerative disease eg. osteoarthritis of the spine

• Bone fractures eg. from acute injury, osteoporotic fractures

• Slipped, herniated vertebral discs

• Infections of the spine eg. Tuberculosis

• Tumours

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