Back Pain
Free Symptom Checker
with Physician-supervised AI

Reviewed By:

Kent C Doan, MD

Kent C Doan, MD (Orthopedic Surgery)

Dr Doan Graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine and completed residency training in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Colorado. He completed additional fellowship training in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at the prestigious Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado. He is a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in complex and revision knee and shoulder surgery at the Kansas City Orthopedic Institute. He also holds an assistant professorship at the University of Kansas City.

Tomohiro Hamahata, MD

Tomohiro Hamahata, MD (Orthopedic Surgery)

Dr. Hamahata graduated from the Jikei University of Medical Science. After working at Asanokawa General Hospital and Kosei Chuo Hospital, he joined the Department of Orthopedics at Asakusa Hospital in April 2021, specializing in general orthopedics and joint replacement surgery.

From our team of 50+ doctors

Content updated on Jan 23, 2024

Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy

Please choose the symptom you are most concerned about.

It will help us optimize further questions for you.

By starting the symptom checker, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

Find another symptom

How Ubie Can Help You

With an easy 3-min questionnaire, Ubie's AI-powered system will generate a free report on possible causes.

  • Trained and reviewed by 50+ doctors, our AI Symptom Checker utilizes data from 1,500+ medical centers

  • Questions are customized to your situation and symptoms

Your symptoms

Input your symptoms

Our AI

Our AI checks your symptoms

Your report

You get your personalized report

Your personal report will tell you

✔︎  When to see a doctor

✔︎  What causes your symptoms

✔︎  Treatment information etc.

People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes

  • Have pain in the spine

  • Back pain aggravated by alcohol consumption

  • Pain in the lower part of the back

  • Pain in the right shoulder blade

  • Pain on the back from pressing

  • The backbone hurts

  • Pain in the right back

Ubie Logo (White)

Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.

About the Symptom

Back pain can be a painful sensation in the whole or any part of the back. The pain may be pressing, aching, sharp or dull in nature.

When to see a doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

  • Fever

  • Gross hematuria

  • Sensation of incomplete voiding

  • Abnormal sensation (tingling, prickling)

  • Numbness of lower limbs

  • Respiratory wheeze

Possible Causes

Generally, Back pain can be related to:

  • Multiple myeloma (MM)

    This is a cancer of a type of white blood cell in the blood, called a plasma cell. Cancerous cells multiply and "crowd out" other healthy, normal cells. Risk factors include positive family history, older age, and male sex. Symptoms include fatigue, bone pain, weight loss, and inability to fight infections.

  • Spinal cord tumor

    A spinal tumor develops within the spinal canal or spine bones. It can be life-threatening and cause permanent disability. Causes include environmental toxins and inherited syndromes like neurofibromatosis 2 and von Hippel-Lindau disease.

  • Cervical spondylosis

    A condition in which the neck bones (cervical spine) become damaged due to wear and tear. Risk factors include long periods of desk work and driving, previous neck injuries, and aging.

  • Vertebral compression fracture
  • Urolithiasis

Related serious diseases

Sometimes, Back pain may be related to these serious diseases:

Doctor's Diagnostic Questions

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:

  • Do you experience back pain?

  • Does your back hurt when pressed?

  • Does your back pain worsen after exercising?

  • Do you experience any issues when you drink alcohol?

  • Do you have a fever?

Ubie Logo (White)

Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.

FAQs

Q.

If my back hurts, when should I call an ambulance?

A.

You should call an ambulance if the pain is really bad, if it starts suddenly, or if the place where it hurts changes.

Details

Especially, you should think about calling an ambulance if you have chest pain or trouble breathing, because this could mean you have a serious condition like heart disease.

References

Stephanie G Wheeler, Joyce E Wipf, Thomas O Staiger et al. (2022). Evaluation of low back pain in adults.

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/evaluation-of-low-back-pain-in-adults

Q.

If my back hurts, when should I see a doctor?

A.

If you feel strong pain, especially in your chest, see a doctor right away. Also, if you have other symptoms like a fever, see a doctor quickly too.

Details

If you feel intense pain, shortness of breath, or chest pain, it might be a sign of a problem with your heart, lungs, or big blood vessels. See a doctor right away. If you have a fever, it could be a dangerous infection, so it's good to see a doctor soon. If the pain lasts a long time or you have other symptoms like blood in your urine or stool, or tingling in your hands and feet, you should also see a doctor quickly.

References

Stephanie G Wheeler, Joyce E Wipf, Thomas O Staiger et al. (2022). Evaluation of low back pain in adults.

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/evaluation-of-low-back-pain-in-adults

Q.

Can daily activities like eating and exercise improve back pain?

A.

If the pain comes from muscle stiffness, light exercise or checking your posture might help.

Details

If the pain is due to muscle stiffness, strategies like stretching, flexibility exercises, light activities like jogging or walking, reviewing your regular posture, and adjusting your workspace when using a computer may help improve the pain to some extent.

References

Diane Abraczinskas, MD. (2022). Overview of intestinal gas and bloating.

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-of-intestinal-gas-and-bloating

Find Similar Symptoms

Similar symptoms or complaints

References

  • NHS

    https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/back-pain/

  • Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 14(13):p 726-735, December 2006.

Reviewed By:

Kent C Doan, MD

Kent C Doan, MD (Orthopedic Surgery)

Dr Doan Graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine and completed residency training in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Colorado. He completed additional fellowship training in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at the prestigious Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado. He is a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in complex and revision knee and shoulder surgery at the Kansas City Orthopedic Institute. He also holds an assistant professorship at the University of Kansas City.

Tomohiro Hamahata, MD

Tomohiro Hamahata, MD (Orthopedic Surgery)

Dr. Hamahata graduated from the Jikei University of Medical Science. After working at Asanokawa General Hospital and Kosei Chuo Hospital, he joined the Department of Orthopedics at Asakusa Hospital in April 2021, specializing in general orthopedics and joint replacement surgery.

From our team of 50+ doctors

User Testimonials

Ubie Logo (White)

Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.

Ubie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide

Maxwell J. Nanes, DO

Maxwell J. Nanes, DO

Emergency Medicine

Waukesha Memorial Hospital, Waukesha Wisconsin, USA

Caroline M. Doan, DO

Caroline M. Doan, DO

Internal Medicine

Signify Health

Benjamin Kummer, MD

Benjamin Kummer, MD

Neurology

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Charles Carlson, DO, MS

Charles Carlson, DO, MS

Psychiatry

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Dale Mueller, MD

Dale Mueller, MD

Cardiothoracic Surgery, Vascular Surgery

Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Associates

Ravi P. Chokshi, MD

Ravi P. Chokshi, MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN), Critical Care

Penn State Health

View our medical experts