In today's stressful fast moving society where many of us lack a regular physical exercise regime, eat to much and generally don't look after our bodies as we should, .back pain in all its variations has become a major irritant to our way of life.

Back pain can be caused by a number of different factors. It can be hurt from over-exertion, the aging process or any host of possible medical conditions. These medical reasons can vary greatly - from mild problems that can be treated at home to more serious issues that require a doctor's diagnosis and prescription along with specialized treatments. Because of the wide range of causes for back pain symptoms, it is important for the sufferer to recognize the type of back pain that you are experiencing so that you can discern if a doctor is needed or not, to treat your condition properly.

Common Back Pain Symptoms

The most common type of back pain symptom that you will experience is stiffness and the discomfort itself, however, the type of pain can vary significantly. Your pain may range from a persistent ache, or stiffness in the area, especially if you have been lying or sitting in one position for a period of time. Or It may be more of an acute pain that is localized to a specific area of the back. This type of pain is often the result of a muscle strain after lifting something heavy or overdoing your daily exercise routine. Or you may experience a chronic, localized pain that settles in the middle or lower back. This discomfort might also be exacerbated by sitting or standing for long periods of time.

By understanding the type of back pain symptom that you are suffering from you will be able to decide if you need to visit the doctor or not and if you do to describe to the doctor exactly what your symptoms are.This will assist him/her to make an informed diagnosis and then to recommend the type of treatment or medication that is best suited to your needs. Giving you the fastest and most effective relief possible. There are also other back pain symptoms that may indicate a more serious medical problem. If you recognize any of the following symptoms, it is a good idea to contact your doctor for further investigation.

When to Call your Doctor

While many back pain symptoms are short-lived and can be effectively treated at home, there are some that warrant a call to your doctor. For example:

- if you experience any type of numbness or tingling in your extremities, this could mean that there has been damage to your spinal cord.

- If your back pain symptoms include a fever, you could be suffering from an infection.

- Pain shooting down one leg from your spine often indicates the condition known as sciatica.

- A pain that intensifies when you bend over or cough might mean that you have a herniated disc.

- Finally, any back pain symptoms after the age of 50 should be looked at for the possibility of osteoarthritis.

If you are suffering from any of these back pain symptoms the pain you are experiencing can be quite intense therefore, , a call to your doctor will help you to diagnose your condition accurately and allow you to receive the most effective treatment and the subsequent pain relief as soon as possible..

Author's Biography: Paul Courtney contributes articles to various publications pertaining to Alternative and Herbal Medicine, for more information please visit .