Spinecare Topics

  • By: ISA Content Team
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Understanding Back Pain
Referred Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common symptoms prompting a visit to a primary care physician. In fact, it consistently represents one of the top three leading symptoms prompting a visit to a physician. In most cases the back pain arises from the tissues of the back. Back pain is not always associated with a disorder of the back but may be a symptom of underlying disease within the chest, abdomen or pelvis. Disorders involving the thoracic region may refer pain to the upper and middle back regions whereas disorders afflicting the organ in the upper abdomen typically refer pain to the lower part of the mid-back. Disorders of the lower abdomen usually refer pain to the low back region whereas; disorders of the pelvic area refer pain to the region of the tailbone.  

More common disorders which can refer pain to the mid back are heart disease, stomach disorders, gall bladder disease, lung and pancreatic disease. A rib lesion will often refer pain around to the mid back region. More common disorders which refer pain to the lower back region include disorders of the colon, kidney and uterus/ovaries. Chronic prostate disorders often refer pain to the lower back and tailbone regions.  A thorough history and physical examination is required of all individuals with acute and chronic back pain.  

In some cases there may be coexistent disease involving the spine and one of the organ systems. The back pain patient may present with two different pain patterns afflicting the back .The pain may overlap becoming more persistent and magnified because of the combined conditions.


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To learn more about your spine. spinehealth, and available spinecare go to the International Spine Assocition (ISA) at www.spineinformation.org. The primary mission of the ISA is to improve spinehealth and spinecare through education. The ISA is committed to disseminating need-to-know information throught the World Wide Web in numerous languages covering many topics related to the spine, including information about spine disorders, spine heath, advances in technology and available spinecare



DISCLAIMER
All health information posted on the site is based on the latest research and national treatment standards, and have been written or reviewed and appoved by the American Acedemy of Spine Physicians and/or International Spine Association physicians or health professionals unless otherwise specified.



The information provided on this site is designed to support. not replace,
the relationship that exists between patient/site visitor and his/her physician.