NON-SPECIFIC BACK PAIN
is the most common form, which
commonly has no obvious cause, and usually has no obvious pathology connected to it
This sort of back pain is not directly linked to conditions such as arthritis, a tumour, osteoporosis
ankylosing spondylitis, hypermobility, a fracture, inflammation, nerve compression or cord
compression.
Although all of these conditions can cause pain in the back (acute or chronic), so can ‘non-specific’ factors.
Often the patient who presents with ‘common nonspecific backache’ is otherwise well. The
symptoms usually vary with activity, and this suggests that biomechanical factors are the
main aggravating features
In contrast to non-mechanical backache, where symptoms are often continuous and
unremitting, non-specific forms are usually variable, are relieved by rest, and by particular
positions and movements (such as stretching). It is therefore very important that you ask
your patient specifically: ‘Is your pain constant, or does it vary?’ If the back pain varies
you need to discover what circumstances seem to bring it on or aggravate it
It is important to remember that ‘uncomplicated’ does not mean that the pain is a minor
feature. The pain of uncomplicated backache may be extreme, often spreading to the
buttocks and thighs
Contributing causes, leading to non-specific back pain, may include poor posture, over-use, deconditioning (poor muscle tone, lack of exercise), chills, trigger point activity,
and/or other factors, many of which the person with the back pain may be able to control
or modify
is the most common form, which
commonly has no obvious cause, and usually has no obvious pathology connected to it
This sort of back pain is not directly linked to conditions such as arthritis, a tumour, osteoporosis
ankylosing spondylitis, hypermobility, a fracture, inflammation, nerve compression or cord
compression.
Although all of these conditions can cause pain in the back (acute or chronic), so can ‘non-specific’ factors.
Often the patient who presents with ‘common nonspecific backache’ is otherwise well. The
symptoms usually vary with activity, and this suggests that biomechanical factors are the
main aggravating features
In contrast to non-mechanical backache, where symptoms are often continuous and
unremitting, non-specific forms are usually variable, are relieved by rest, and by particular
positions and movements (such as stretching). It is therefore very important that you ask
your patient specifically: ‘Is your pain constant, or does it vary?’ If the back pain varies
you need to discover what circumstances seem to bring it on or aggravate it
It is important to remember that ‘uncomplicated’ does not mean that the pain is a minor
feature. The pain of uncomplicated backache may be extreme, often spreading to the
buttocks and thighs
Contributing causes, leading to non-specific back pain, may include poor posture, over-use, deconditioning (poor muscle tone, lack of exercise), chills, trigger point activity,
and/or other factors, many of which the person with the back pain may be able to control
or modify
