backache /bak″āk/ [AS, baec + ME, aken] , a pain in the lumbar, lumbosacral, or cervical region of the back, varying in sharpness and intensity. Causes may include muscle strain or other muscular disorders or pressure on the root of a nerve, such as the sciatic nerve, caused in turn by a variety of factors, including a herniated vertebral disk. Treatment may include heat, ultrasound, and devices to provide support for the affected area. Additionally, it may require surgical intervention and medications to relieve pain and relax spasm of the muscle of the affected area.
