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Writer's pictureDr. Mike Skaliy

Back Pain – Why Is It Hurting and When Will It Stop?

Don’t Suffer, Back Pain Relief Really is Possible

Have you ever tried to get out of bed in the morning and just couldn’t make it on the first try? Your back was stiff and painful, and you had no idea why. Have you ever leaned down to tie your shoe or pick something up and winced because of a sudden, piercing back pain?

Once you get upright again, you stand there, wondering what in the world is happening. This used to be easy as breathing, but now, back pain out of nowhere – what gives?


There are 3 Levels of Back Pain Classifications

As we age, most of us go through similar experiences at one time or another. Low back pain is a common disorder involving the muscles, nerves or bones of the back. Back pain levels vary from a dull, constant ache to a sudden sharp feeling. Back pain is often classified by duration, with pain lasting more than six weeks classified as “acute,” pain lasting six to 12 weeks as “sub-chronic” and back pain lasting more than 12 weeks as “chronic.”

Sometimes it’s nothing more than aging bones and muscles letting us know we’re not as spry as we used to be. Other times, it’s the beginning of a slide into increasing back pain that leads people to seek back pain relief.

The type of pain relief options available depends on what’s causing the pain. In general, back pain comes in three general types – mechanical, non-mechanical and referred.


Mechanical Back Pain is found in the spinal joints, discs, soft tissue or vertebrae. Some forms of acute mechanical back pain include lumbago, lumbosacral strain, idiopathic low back pain or lumbar syndrome. Mechanical lower back pain accounts for 97 percent of all low back pain reported to primary care physicians.


Non-Mechanical Back Pain is rare, accounting for about one percent of reported cases. This can be a symptom of more serious medical conditions including neoplasia, infection and inflammatory arthritis or Paget disease.


Referred Pain, which is also relatively rare, is pain felt in a certain area separated by some distance from its cause. For example, kidney problems may cause pain in the lumbar region.

While the vast majority of back pain cases can be classified as “mechanical,” it is always best to consult a physician for a proper diagnosis rather than hoping the problem will go away on its own.

Patients seeking back pain relief in the Atlanta area should contact Atlanta Spine Specialists to schedule a consultation. Dr. Mike Skaliy’s and his team of medical professionals help people find back pain relief every day.

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