1 of 5 / Overview
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Back Pain Basics
One of the more common types of back pain comes from straining the bands of muscles surrounding the spine.
Causes of Back Pain
Back pain often happens because something is off in the way your spinal joints, muscles, discs, and nerves fit together and move.
Spinal Disk Problems
Anybody who has experienced a damaged spinal disk understands how painful it is. Every movement seems to make it worse.
2 of 5 / Symptoms
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Upper, Middle, and Low Back Pain Symptoms
Get the facts on the aches and pains that signal back problems.
Sciatica Symptoms
Sciatica can cause pain in the lower back and the legs. Learn more.
Low Back Strain
One of the main causes of back pain, whether acute or chronic, is low back strain.
Nighttime Back Pain
Nighttime back pain is a special type of lower back pain that could indicate a serious problem with your spine.
3 of 5 / Tests & Diagnosis
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How is Back Pain Diagnosed?
Before a doctor can begin treating back pain, they may do tests to diagnose what is causing your problem.
Choosing a Doctor for Back Pain
Get tips on selecting a doctor.
Back Pain Tests
Learn what to expect when you see your doctor about back pain.
Spinal X-Ray
Spinal X-rays are pictures of the spine. They may be taken to find injuries or diseases that affect the discs or joints.
4 of 5 / Treatment
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5 of 5 / Living With
View AllSuggested Reads about Back Pain
Back Pain Myths & Facts
WebMD's back pain slideshow lets you in on the truth about the causes and treatments for back pain.
Test Your Smarts on Sleep and Back Pain
Got back pain? See if your sleep habits could be adding to your ouch.
Good and Bad Exercises for Low Back Pain
Exercise is good for low back pain -- but a few exercises may make back pain worse. See which exercises for back pain can help, and which to avoid in this WebMD slide show.
Visual Guide to Herniated Disks
Have you felt pain shooting down your leg from your lower back or rear end? It may be that one of the disks that separate the bones of your spine is pushing on a nerve. Learn what causes it and how to manage it.
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