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Back ache and back pain are indeed one and the same thing. They are simply two slightly different terms used to describe the symptom of experiencing pain or an aching sensation in one's back. Back ache or back pain is not really a condition itself, but rather a symptom of some other underlying condition or disease.
The pain that is experienced can be due to some problem with the spine itself or with the muscles or nerves in the back area. Sometimes back pain is not even due to a problem with the back - the problem may be with some internal organ, as is often the case with a kidney infection.
Usually back pain is a minor problem, even though it may interfere to varying extents with the person's ability to function normally and enjoy life. Muscle strain is the most common cause of back pain, and is usually a temporary problem. In most cases, the muscles gradually ease themselves and the pain disappears on its own within a few days. Another common cause of back pain is pinching of a nerve. This can be quite painful, and may sometimes require medical attention. In many cases however, a few days of bed rest and regular application of a hot compress is enough to handle the problem. Back pain can also be the result of stress or depression. Such factors seem to result in constant tension in the muscles, which eventually leads to back pain. In fact, in a large number of cases, there are no physiological causes of back pain.
Cases in which back pain has a physical source and is serious include spinal cancer, which is a rare but dangerous disorder. Another rare problem that can cause back pain is an infection of the spine. If your back pain is accompanied by fever or a feeling of weakness and numbness in the lower part of the body, you should visit a doctor at the earliest, as this may be a sign of a serious problem. It is also usually advisable that if you experience back pain after some kind of physical trauma, you should get yourself checked by a doctor. The same goes for people with osteoporosis, which greatly increases the risk of fractures, or a previous case of spinal injury such as a herniated disc. People who already have cancer should also be wary of back pain, as it may indicate that the cancer has spread.
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