Common causes of back pain in women

This section includes a number of spine disorders and causes of back pain that tend to occur more frequently in women than in men.

Coccydynia
Fibromyalgia
Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Piriformis syndrome
Pregnancy
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
Additional patient resources

Coccydynia—a real pain in the tailbone
April 4, 2000
Coccydynia is felt as a localized pain at the very bottom of the spine (the tailbone) and will generally feel worse when pressure is put on the tailbone by sitting. The condition is much more common in women than men. It is usually caused by local trauma (a fall) or giving birth. Read more...

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Overview of Fibromyalgia
Updated February 21, 2006
Fibromyalgia is a myofascial (muscular) pain syndrome that can result in generalized back pain and difficulty sleeping. While there is no known anatomical reason for fibromyalgia, it is suspected that there are underlying biochemical causes. Read more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD

Defining characteristics of fibromyalgia
January 20, 2000
Fibromyalgia is especially enigmatic and difficult to identify. This article provides an overview of the defining characteristics of this condition—including a profile of individuals most likely to get fibromyalgia and an overview of its symptoms. Read more...
By: Thomas K. Van Sistine, MD

Specific diagnosis of fibromyalgia
January 20, 2000
Instead of relying on general information about fibromyalgia, it’s important to understand the American College of Rheumatology’s specific criteria for an accurate diagnosis of fibromyalgia, as well as other conditions that have symptoms similar to fibromyalgia. Read more...
By: Thomas K. Van Sistine, MD

Management of fibromyalgia
January 20, 2000
Fibromyalgia is known to be a chronic disorder, which means that there is no "cure" for fibromyalgia. Read about how a coordinated management program can alleviate the painful symptoms of fibromyalgia, including aerobic exercise, medications and non-medicinal treatments. Read more...
By: Thomas K. Van Sistine, MD

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Osteoarthritis Health Hub
August 9, 2006
In-depth information on osteoarthritis of the spine (or spinal arthritis), including diagnosis and strategies for osteoarthritis pain relief such as arthritis medications and exercise. Written and peer reviewed by physicians who specialize in spine medicine. Read more...

Understanding osteoarthritis of the spine
June 7, 2005
Osteoarthritis pain typically is worse in the morning and again in the evening, with some improvement during the day as the patient moves around. Spinal arthritis is one of the common causes of back pain in elderly adults, and usually limits back motion and flexibility as well. Read more...
By: Charles D. Ray, MD

Range of osteoarthritis symptoms
June 7, 2005
Osteoarthritis is characterized primarily by stiffness and pain in the joints, although not everyone with osteoarthritis actually experiences pain and disability. The stiffness and pain tend to be worse in the morning and again in the evening, with improvement during the day as the person carries on his or her daily activities. Read more...
By: Charles D. Ray, MD

Osteoarthritis clinical diagnosis
June 7, 2005
Any patient experiencing back pain or stiffness in a joint or joints for more than two weeks should see his or her physician for an evaluation. The evaluation usually consists of a discussion of symptoms, a detailed medical history, and a physical exam. Other tests, such as x rays, blood tests, MRI or CT scans may also be performed. Read more...
By: Charles D. Ray, MD

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4 proven steps to prevent osteoporosis fractures
August 29, 2006
Spine fractures can be severely disabling, often resulting in chronic pain, spinal deformity, and loss of independence. Once a spine fracture has occurred, it usually means the patient has advanced osteoporosis and is susceptible to more disabling vertebral fractures. The key is to prevent osteoporosis and fractures from ever occurring. Read more...
By: Scott Boden, MD

What you need to know about osteoporosis
November 2000 (Updated June 21, 2006)
Osteoporosis is a common condition in both women and men that is preventable and treatable if discovered early. Too often, however, a vertebral fracture as a result of weakened bones is the first sign of the disease. Exercise, diet, and awareness can help to avert the significant illness and deformity caused by this condition. Read more...
By: Donald J. Frisco, MD

Osteoporosis prevention
November 2000 (Updated June 21, 2006)
Read about the most important things to do to prevent osteoporosis, when to start prevention (such as calcium supplements) and how to assess your risk factors for osteoporosis. Most of the preventative measures for osteoporosis are in the hands of the individual and should be started as early in life as possible. Read more...
By: Donald J. Frisco, MD

Diagnosing osteoporosis
November 2000 (Updated June 21, 2006)
Should you get tested for osteoporosis? Do you know what is involved in testing for bone loss? An osteoporosis diagnosis distinguishes whether or not osteoporosis is a primary problem or is secondary to another problem. Therefore, a thorough history and physical examination, as well as the appropriate diagnostic tests, need to be obtained before treatment of osteoporosis begins. Read more...
By: Donald J. Frisco, MD

Vertebroplasty after a painful spine fracture
May 17, 2006
When the bones of the spine become weakened, usually due to osteoporosis, they can collapse and cause a compression fracture. Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that may be considered to treat ongoing back pain from a spine fracture. Read more...
By: Huy M. Do, MD

Pain relief after a vertebral compression fracture: Kyphoplasty case review
December 30, 2005
Osteoporosis-related spine fractures are fairly common, especially in people over age seventy. When these fractures cause pain, a procedure called kyphoplasty may be an option—but usually only within a few months after the fracture. This article presents the case of a patient who had successful kyphoplasty solely under local anesthesia. Read more...
By: Andrew P. Manista, MD and A. Jay Khanna, MD

When is back pain a fracture?
May 11, 2005
Osteoporosis-related vertebral fractures can occur from activities as gentle as opening a window, and often go undiagnosed. For women, especially those with risk factors for osteoporosis, many physicians believe that a vertebral fracture should be suspected in any women over age 45 with sudden onset of back pain. Read more...
By: Scott Boden, MD

Vertebral fracture treated with kyphoplasty: case review
November 17, 2003
In this case it was decided to proceed with kyphoplasty, with the goal of alleviating the patient's back pain and restoring the height of the vertebra so that the patient would be able to stand upright. Read more...
By: Jeffrey Spivak, MD

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty: percutaneous injection procedures for vertebral fractures
August 13, 2003
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are minimally invasive procedures that may be used in cases of severe pain caused by a vertebral fracture that does not improve over a number of weeks with pain medication and bracing. Read more...
By: Jeffrey M. Spivak, MD

Calcium requirements for kids' growing bones
January 16, 2003
The need for calcium acquisition and storage begins very early in life - especially in the pre-adolescent years. However, the decrease in children’s milk intake has created a serious shortfall in the amount of calcium that kids have an opportunity to obtain. To grow and maintain a strong spine and help prevent osteoporosis later in life, kids need to have minimum calcium requirements in their diet. Read more...
By: Julian Huang, MD

Kyphoplasty - a new treatment for osteoporotic fractures
July 10, 2000 (last updated July 17, 2000)
Kyphoplasty, a procedure for treating compression fractures from osteoporosis, is designed to restore height to the bone thus reducing deformity of the spine. Read more...

Osteoporosis medications
October 1999
Recently, several drugs have been approved for use in the treatment of osteoporosis to reduce the risk of fractures. Osteoporosis medications work by reducing the bone loss and increasing mineral deposition in the bones. Read more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD

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Overview of piriformis syndrome
September 8, 1999 (Updated February 28, 2001)
The piriformis muscle can become tight and irritate the sciatic nerve, resulting in low back and/or leg pain. For a patient with piriformis syndrome, spinal imaging studies will not show any nerve pinching, and on physical exam, motion of the patient's hip will generate the pain. Read more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD

Piriformis syndrome—another irritation to the sciatic nerve
April 8, 2000
Get the details on piriformis syndrome. Learn what it is, how it's diagnosed, and treatment options. Many health professionals believe that an accurate diagnosis and comprehensive management approach are critical to alleviate the sciatica type of pain caused by piriformis syndrome. Read more...
By: John Revord, MD

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Exercise for back pain during pregnancy
December 21, 2004
Although pregnant women may be tempted to rest rather than exercise if they are experiencing back pain, in many cases, gentle exercise can decrease muscle spasms, boost energy levels and help with an easier labor, delivery and recovery. This article explains some simple cardiovascular, strength and flexibility exercises women can use for back pain during pregnancy. Read more...
By: Alicia Silva, MSPT

What causes back pain during pregnancy?
April 22, 2000
The most common cause of back pain in pregnancy is malfunction in the sacroiliac joint. This condition is treatable and, with therapy, tends to get better after delivery of the baby. As the pregnancy advances, hormonal changes prepare the pelvis for delivery of the child by loosening the strong ligaments that control the function of the sacroiliac joints. Read more...
By: John J. Triano, DC, PhD

Back pain in pregnancy
January 10, 2000
While it is fairly common, back pain in pregnancy should definitely not be accepted as just a part of the process. To help make your pregnancy as pleasant as possible and facilitate an easier delivery, back pain should be always be addressed as quickly as possible and managed throughout your pregnancy. Read more...

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Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
September 8, 1999 (Updated February 28, 2001)
It is not clearly understood how the sacroiliac joint causes pain, but conservative treatments may help alleviate symptoms. After a proper diagnosis, conservative treatments for sacroiliac joint dysfunction generally center around trying to restore motion in the sacroiliac joint. Read more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD

What is sacroiliac joint dysfunction?
April 20, 2000 (updated July 5, 2000)
Generally more common in young and middle age women, sacroiliac joint dysfunction can feel similar to the symptoms caused by a lumbar disc herniation. While it is not clear how the pain is caused, it is thought that an alteration in the normal joint motion may be the culprit that causes sacroiliac joint pain. Read more...
By: Steven G. Yeomans, DC, FACO

Chiropractic treatments of the sacroiliac joint
May 7, 2000
Chiropractic care is often considered as the first line of treatment for sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Today, patients with sacroiliac joint pain have a variety of chiropractic treatment procedures available to them. Read more...
By: Steven G. Yeomans, DC, FACO

Injections - sacroiliac joint block
September 8, 1999
Sacroiliac (SI) joint blocks are injections that are primarily used for diagnosing and treating the low back pain associated with sacroiliac joint dysfunction. For the sacroiliac joint block treatment to be successful, the injection should be followed by physical therapy, exercise and/or chiropractic manipulations. Read more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD

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Upper back problems: doctor answers patient questions
March 20, 2006
The upper back and ribs form a strong ‘cage’ around the vital organs of the heart and lungs. Since the upper back is not designed for motion, upper back problems are less prevalent but can be extremely painful. In this section of Back Talk, a physiatrist responds to frequent patient questions about upper back problems. Read more...

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