Back pain (also known as "dorsopathies") is pain felt in the back that may come from the spine, muscles, nerves, or other structures in the back. It may radiate from the lower, mid or upper back. The pain may be a tingling or burning sensation, a dull aching, or sharp pain. Weakness may also be felt in the legs or feet.

Back pain is one of humanity's most frequent complaints and does not always reflect any underlying condition. Back pain that does not improve after a few days can sometimes indicate significant and serious conditions which might not otherwise be diagnosed. Back pain is very rarely a sign of a serious medical problem. It is however important that the treatable medical causes are identified early on. Typical warning signs are bowel and/or bladder function disturbance, severe pain spreading along a nerve (e.g. a radiculopathy - pain spreading down the back of the leg to the outside of the foot) or severe pain occurring with other signs of severe illness (e.g. fever, confusion).