Types of Back Pain

Acute pain:

Acute pain starts suddenly and lasts a relatively short time.  Acute back pain is commonly described as a very sharp pain or a dull ache, usually felt deep in the lower back, and can be more severe in one area.  Acute back pain can be caused by injury or trauma to the back, but just as often has no known cause.  Acute back pain, even when it is severe, will typically improve or completely recover within three months.  If pain lasts longer than three months or if it continues once the underlying cause has been addressed, it is reclassified as chronic pain.

Chronic Pain: 

Pain that lasts longer than three months is called chronic pain.  Chronic back pain is commonly described as deep, aching, dull, or burning pain in one area of the back or traveling down the legs.  Regular daily activities may prove difficult or impossible for those suffering from chronic back pain. Chronic back pain may result from a previous injury long since healed, or it may have an ongoing cause, such as nerve damage or arthritis.

Additional Back Pain Information: