Acetaminophen
Non-prescription pain reliever and fever reducer, such as Tylenol and Anacin-3.  Helps reduce mild to moderate pain.

Acupuncture
An alternative pain-relief therapy involving the insertion of needles into specific exterior body locations.  There is no compelling evidence that acupuncture can relieve back pain.

Acute
Describes an episode of back pain that lasts six to 12 weeks or less.

Chronic
Describes a long-term episode of back pain.

Degeneration
The breakdown of a vertebra or disc over time due to use, injury or disease.

Disc
The tissue between each vertebrae of the backbone that serves as a cushion and aids flexibility.

Disc replacement
A relatively new surgical procedure in which a damaged disc is replaced – similar to the replacement of a knee or hip.

Dural sac (or meninges)
Contains and protects the nerves that run through the spine and exit at various points to different parts of the body.

Facet joints (or zygoapophyseal or "Z" joints)
Part of the framework of the spinal canal that aids motion and flexibility in the lower back.

Fracture
A "broken back" – specifically, a damaged vertebra, lamina or spinous process.

Herniated disc (or ruptured disc)
A disc that, due to use, injury or disease, bulges outside its normal area, causing pain and limiting function.

Lamina
A relatively flat bone that covers most of the back of the spinal canal.

Ligaments
The tough bands of fleshy tissue that hold bones together.

Lumbar
Refers to the lower region of the back.

Lumbar lordosis
Describes the normal curvature of the spine.

Lumbar spine
The lower back, comprised of five vertebrae and the discs between these bones.

Mechanical
Refers to typical back pain caused by use or injury, as opposed to that caused by an underlying condition.

Myelogram
A diagnostic procedure in which dye is injected into the spine and followed via a series of x-rays.

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
The most common – and effective – of all drugs used to treat back pain.  Over-the-counter NSAIDs – aspirin, Alleve, Advil, Motrin, etc. – work as well as prescription drugs.

Osteoporosis
An illness that causes the degeneration and breakdown of the bone.  Osteoporosis itself does not cause back pain, but an osteoporosis-induced fracture can.

Posture
Refers to the positions in which a person stands and sits.  Proper posture is important to avoid back pain.

Sciatica
A condition in which pain shoots down an leg or arm as a result of a pinched nerve.

Scoliosis
Also known as "curvature of the spine" – a serious structural malformation of the back.

Spasm
The involuntary, repetitive tightening or "bunching" of the back muscles often associated with a back injury or the development of back pain.

Spinal fusion
A common surgical procedure in which the vertebrae in the painful segment of the spine are "fused" together through some form of bone graft or bone substitute.

Spina bifida
Congenital back problem caused by the incomplete formation of the lamina and spinous process bones.

Spine
The central bodily structure that runs up the back made up of vertebrae, discs, nerves and other parts.

Spinous processes
The small bone extensions that can be felt when you touch your back.

Tendons
The tough bands of fleshy tissue that hold muscles to bones.

Traction
A "passive" treatment that employs a body harness and steady pulling pressure to stretch the back.

Vertebrae
The individual bones of the back aligned one upon the other and separated by discs that house the spinal cord.