The complaint complex of back pain includes all pain in the area of the back, regardless of its causes. A distinction is made between:
Non-specific complaints:
Cervical spine pain, also called neck pain, cervicalgia, cervical neuralgia or "cervical spine syndrome" , as well as panniculitis and radiculopathy in the neck and back region.
Radiating pain of the cervical spine is called brachialgia or cervicobrachialgia.
Pain in the thoracic spine, also referred to as non-specific back pain, called dorsalgia or "thoracic spine syndrome."
Pain in the area of the lumbar spine, also referred to as low back pain, called lumbalgia/lumbago or "lumbar spine syndrome". The area between the base of the ribs and the hip is affected.
Pain radiating from the lumbar spine is called ischialgia or lumboischialgia. The radiation usually extends into the buttocks, the leg and also into the front of the abdomen.
Sudden stabbing pain in the lumbar spine is called lumbago, which is caused by irritation of the sensory innervation of the spine, that is, the nerves supplying the spine itself - that is, not by compression of the spinal nerves exiting the spine and supplying the rest of the body.
Specific symptoms:
Spondyloarthritis, also referred to as degenerative (wear-related) facet syndrome.
Spinal stenosis and root compression syndrome
Acute disc herniation
Bone fracture
Osteoporosis
Bechterew's disease
Cranio-mandibular dysfunction CMD
In conventional medicine, a distinction is made between acute and chronic back pain.
Acute back pain: less than 6 weeks
Subacute back pain: 6 to 12 weeks
Chronic back pain: more than 12 weeks
85% of back pain is caused by muscle tension and trigger points and is usually associated with restricted movement. According to the latest findings, compressed fasciae (connective tissue tracts) also lead to muscle tension and irritation. On the one hand, physical factors play a significant role, such as weak trunk muscles due to lack of exercise, occupational stress (sitting, one-sided activities...), chronic muscle tension in connection with accidents (for example, whiplash), stressful sports, uncomfortable furniture (couch, mattress, pillows) or signs of wear and tear on the spine.
On the other hand, especially in the case of chronic complaints, psychological stress, such as stress at work, dissatisfaction and anxiety, or illnesses, such as possibly depression, can also be associated with back pain.
Other causes worth mentioning are also Lyme disease, parasites and fibromyalgia.
