Back Pain Also called: Backache, Lumbago Summary If you’ve ever groaned, “Oh, my aching back!”, you are not alone. Back pain is one of the most common medical problems, affecting 8 out of 10 people at some point during their lives. Back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain. Acute back pain comes on suddenly and usually lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Back pain is called chronic if it lasts for more than three months. Most back pain goes away on its own, though it may take awhile. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers and resting can help. However, staying in bed for more than 1 or 2 days can make it worse. If your back pain is severe or doesn’t improve after three days, you should call your health care provider. You should also get medical attention if you have back pain following an injury. Treatment for back pain depends on what kind of pain you have, and what is causing it. It may include hot or cold packs, exercise, medicines, injections, complementary treatments, and sometimes surgery. NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Start Here Back Pain National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Back Pain Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Back Pain National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Low Back Pain American Academy of Family Physicians Low Back Pain National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke What Is Back Pain? National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Health Check Tools Back Pain DSHI Systems Chronic Back Pain DSHI Systems Array Back pain – returning to work Back pain – when you see the doctor Back pain and sports Chiropractic care for back pain Cognitive behavioral therapy for back pain Low back pain – acute Low back pain – chronic MRI and low back pain Sacroiliac joint pain – aftercare Taking care of your back at home Taking narcotics for back pain Living With Back Pain and Emotional Distress North American Spine Society When Your Back Hurts: Don’t Let Back Pain Knock You Flat National Institutes of Health Related Issues Back Pain at Work: Preventing Pain and Injury Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research That Pain in Your Back Could be Linked to Your Feet American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Tips to Maintain Good Posture American Chiropractic Association Women Back Pain During Pregnancy American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Statistics and Research Back Pain Facts and Statistics American Chiropractic Association Chronic Low-Back Pain and Complementary Health Approaches: What the Science Says National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Determining the Optimal Number of Spinal Manipulation Sessions for Chronic Low-Back Pain National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health For Low-Back Pain, Yoga More Effective Than Self-Care But Not Stretching National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Treating Back-Related Leg Pain with Spinal Manipulation and Home Exercise American College of Physicians Weekly and Twice-Weekly Yoga Classes Offer Similar Low-Back Pain Relief in Low-Income Minority Populations National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Children Back Pain in Children and Adolescents (Beyond the Basics) UpToDate Treatments and Therapies Back Surgery: When Is It a Good Idea? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Epidural Steroid Injections North American Spine Society Inversion Therapy: Can It Relieve Back Pain? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research MedlinePlus: Chiropractic National Library of Medicine Prolotherapy: An Effective Treatment for Low Back Pain? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Radiofrequency Neurotomy Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Spinal Manipulation for Low-Back Pain National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Time to Talk: 4 Things to Know about Spinal Manipulation for Low-Back Pain National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Time to Talk: 5 Things To Know About Chronic Low-Back Pain and Complementary Health Practices National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Time to Talk: 6 Things To Know About Massage Therapy for Health Purposes National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Teenagers Backpack Basics Nemours Foundation Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Low Back Pain National Institutes of Health Diagnosis and Tests Discography (Discogram) Array Imaging Tests for Lower Back Pain: When You Need Them — and When You Don’t ABIM Foundation Lower Back Pain American Academy of Family Physicians Radiographic Assessment for Back Pain North American Spine Society Encyclopedia Diskitis Lumbar MRI scan Lumbosacral spine x-ray Returning to sports after a back injury Spinal cord stimulation Videos and Tutorials Exercise: The Backbone of Spine Treatment North American Spine Society Spinal Fusion Surgery for Relief of Chronic Lower Back Pain OR-Live Treating Chronic Back Pain with Minimally Invasive Surgery OR-Live Find an Expert Find a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physician American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Find a Physical Therapist American Physical Therapy Association National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke NIH MedlinePlus Magazine Low Back Pain and CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) Prevention and Risk Factors Prevent Back Pain Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Prevention: The Best Treatment for Back Pain American Osteopathic Association Journal Articles Back Pain Latest News Spinal Fusion Not Always Necessary for Back Pain, Studies Say HealthDay Meditation May Help Ease Chronic Low Back Pain HealthDay
