What is a back injury?
A person with a back injury has damage to the structures that make up the back: bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, disks or spinal cord. The acute lumbar strain is probably the most common back injury.

What are the symptoms of a back injury?
Common symptoms of a back injury include back pain, back stiffness, and tenderness overlying the back muscles. Symptoms of a more serious injury include: severe back pain that shoots down the leg, leg numbness, or leg weakness.

How does the doctor treat a back injury?
Most minor back injuries can be treated with rest, cold compresses, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain control. Other treatments may include physical therapy, narcotic pain medications, and ultrasound therapy.