Back pain, also called cervical pain, is generally pain felt in the lower back. The back consists of five different segments: upper torso, ribs, pelvis, hips and thighs. The lower back has three lumbar vertebrae, which are located in the cervical region; the sacrum, which is the fused vertebra that originates from the coccyx to the anus; and the tail bone or caudal bone which is the strongest bone in the human body and is found between the sacrum and the ribs. The back has the most amount of muscles in comparison to other parts of the body.
There are many different types of back pain, the most common being acute and chronic. Acute back pain usually appears suddenly, while chronic back pain can last for a long time, sometimes with no apparent cause. It is also important to note that the symptoms can be very similar between acute and chronic back pain. When symptoms do not go away even after a day or two, it is best to seek professional help at once.
Nonspecific Causes: Nonspecific causes are those that can affect any part of the back, including nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments and joints. Some examples are rotator cuff strains, which occur in the shoulder blades and rotators of the arms; tennis elbow, which affects the outer aspect of the elbow and the muscles surrounding it; and carpal tunnel syndrome, which causes the passage of fluid through the carpal tunnel. When these conditions are associated with numbness, weakness or tingling, it is more likely to be a nonspecific injury rather than a generic back pain. However, these conditions can still occur in people without back pain. They just do not occur frequently.