Back

Flank pain is common, but it can be a sign of something serious. Here’s how to figure out what’s causing your pain and when to see a doctor.

Stiff back can be caused by muscular causes such as muscle strain, muscle spasms, and poor posture. Arthritis of the lumbar spine and spinal cord pressure that compresses the sciatic nerve - the nerve that runs from the lower back to the legs - can also cause back pain and stiffness.

The rubbery discs that cushion vertebrae become weakened and lose their shape, with their gel-like inside squeezing out and providing less cushioning. It can cause pain and numbness down your legs.

Osteoporosis makes your bones weak, brittle, and more likely to fracture. It is most common in postmenopausal women. Immediate treatment is important so you can strengthen your bones and lower your risk of experiencing fractures.

Upper back pain that shoots down the arm is often caused by an herniated disc in the upper back or myofascial pain syndrome. A pinched nerve in the upper back can also cause pain that radiates down the arm. Read below for more information on causes and relief options.

Find out how to relieve the pain of a compression fracture

Find out how to treat scoliosis and prevent it from worsening

If you found a hard back mass, it is most likely noncancerous. The most common causes for a hard lump on the back arise from skin conditions, like skin abscess, wart, or cysts on the back. Knots in the back can also appear as a hard back mass. Read below for more information on causes and treatment options.

Different skin conditions can cause one or multiple back bumps. The most common causes of a bump on the back include skin abscess, cysts, warts, or a back pimple. Other causes for lump on the back can arise from lipoma or non cancerous cell growth. Read below for more information on causes and how to treat back bumps.

Back pain can start in any part of the interconnected components that make up your spine. Finding out what’s causing it—a slipped disk, inflammation, sciatica, or even an infection—is key to getting the right treatment.

Most commonly a painful lump on the back occurs when there is an underlying skin condition like a cysts, skin abscess, boil, or a pimple on the back. More serious causes of painful back bumps include lipoma and dermatofibroma. Read on for more information on causes and treatment options.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis of the lower back caused by inflammation. Symptoms include pain and stiffness in the back and hips and sometimes the neck and shoulders that will be worse during sleep and rest.

Reasons for why your back is so itchy can include an allergic reaction from certain hygienic products, chemicals, or plants. Another itchy back cause is shingles, also known as herpes zoster. Read below for more information on causes and how to relieve your back itch.

Understand your back pain that gets worse when straightening it symptoms, including 4 causes & common questions.

Having mid back pain is a common condition that can also feel like tightness or tension in the center of your back. Middle back pain can be caused by strain from daily activities and poor posture, a past or recent injury, or muscle inflammation. Read below for more information on why you may be having prolonged or sudden pain in the middle of your back, related symptoms, and treatment options.

Having sharp back pain? Is it due to a muscle, nerve, or serious issue? Here we cover reasons for both lower back pain (lumbago) and upper back pain.