What could this pain in my back be?

Hello Lindsay,

Is the pain in your lower back? How long have you been experiencing the severe back pain? Did you sustain an injury to your back prior to the onset of the pain?

There are two types of chronic back pain.

Chronic back pain due to a clearly identifiable cause includes structural spine conditions (for example, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis) can cause ongoing pain until successfully treated. These conditions are due to a diagnosable anatomical problem.

Chronic back pain with no identifiable pain generator continues beyond the point of tissue healing.The nervous system may be sending a pain signal even though there is no ongoing tissue damage. The nervous system itself misfires and creates the pain.

Examples include chronic back pain without a clearly determined cause, failed back surgery syndrome (continued pain after the surgery has completed healed), and fibromyalgia.

Consider talking with your doctor about the possibility of fibromyalgia as the cause of your chronic back pain.

Regards,
Maryann