Types of Back Pain

Scar Tissues

1. Acute (generally severe, but shortlived): Acute back pain usually lasts from one to seven days. Pain may be mild or severe and is usually caused by an accident or injury. About 80 per cent of all back pain is acute. 
2. Sub – acute : Sub-acute back pain usually lasts from seven days to seven weeks and is usually mild; occasionally it is severe. This pain is generally unrelated to other illnesses that one may have. About 10 to 20 per cent of all back pain is sub-acute. 
3. Chronic (long-lasting or occurring often): Chronic back pain usually lasts more than three months and may be mild (pain that is bothersome, aching, sore) or severe (pain that hurts all the time, even when resting). It may be related to other illnesses one may have. About 5 to 10 per cent of all back pain is chronic.

Back pain can be mild or severe. 

Risk Factors.

Certain people are at higher risk for back pain. They are : 

•  Persons whose work includes heavy labour or long periods of  sitting and standing. 

• Persons who are ‘out of shape’ , as thier muscles of the abdomen and back become weak. This puts extra strain on the muscles and joints of the back. 

• Persons who do heavy lifting without having the proper training. 

• Persons who smoke (smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to suffer from back pain)