Justin Field

By Justin Field, MD

While back pain often originates from a back injury or spinal complication, many daily activities may also increase the risk of experiencing back pain or discomfort. For example, you may have woken up from a night of sleep where your back felt sore, or you may notice an aching back after a day of sitting at your computer.

While these activities are not intense, they can still cause pressure and strain on the back, resulting in ongoing or long-term back pain. These everyday activities may be what leads to your lower back pain or worsens existing discomfort.

By Justin Field, M.D.

While technology is often a crucial part of our personal and professional lives, it does come with a few downsides — and neck strain is one of them. Thanks to prolonged computer and phone use, “tech neck” has become an increasingly common issue. Fortunately, you can use a few tips and tricks to fix your tech neck posture. Keep reading to learn more about how to correct tech neck so you can feel better.

For many people, back pain feels like a normal part of life. It’s estimated that 75% to 85% of Americans experience back pain at some point. Back pain appears in different forms, ranging from a dull ache to shooting pain. Most back pain occurs in the lower back, known as the lumbar region. Half of patients with low back pain episodes will experience recurrent episodes in a year.

While most back pain resolves on its own and isn’t a sign of something serious, it should be looked at by a doctor in some cases. Your back consists of a spine, muscles, tendons and nerves, so it can be hard to figure what’s causing the pain on your own. If you don’t know what’s causing the pain, you won’t know how to treat it.

By going to a doctor for back pain, you can take steps toward feeling better again. A doctor who specializes in spinal conditions can determine the cause of your pain and initiate an effective treatment. They can also treat a condition that might otherwise get worse with time.

So, how do you know when you should see a doctor about lower back pain? Let’s look at common causes of back pain and symptoms that call for a professional examination.