Back Pain

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

NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

• 6 Exercises You Can Do in Your Office
• Biking, Pilates, and Yoga: How One Woman Stays Active
• How to Manage Low Back Pain Before it Gets Worse
• Veterans Embrace Spinal Manipulation for Low Back Pain
• Why Does Your Back Hurt?

Treatments and Therapies

• 6 Things To Know About Massage Therapy for Health Purposes National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
• 9 Things To Know About Chronic Low-Back Pain and Complementary Health Practices National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
• Back Surgery: When Is It a Good Idea? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Chiropractic: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
• Epidural Steroid Injections North American Spine Society
• Radiofrequency Neurotomy Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Spinal Manipulation: What You Need To Know National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Start Here

• Back Pain National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Back Pain National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
• Back Pain Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Low Back Pain American Academy of Family Physicians

Patient Handouts

• Back pain – returning to work Medical Encyclopedia
• Back pain – when you see the doctor Medical Encyclopedia
• Back pain and sports Medical Encyclopedia
• Chiropractic care for back pain Medical Encyclopedia
• Cognitive behavioral therapy for back pain Medical Encyclopedia
• Low back pain – acute Medical Encyclopedia
• Low back pain – chronic Medical Encyclopedia
• MRI and low back pain Medical Encyclopedia
• Sacroiliac joint pain – aftercare Medical Encyclopedia
• Taking care of your back at home Medical Encyclopedia
• Taking narcotics for back pain Medical Encyclopedia

Women

• Back Pain during Pregnancy American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Back Pain during Pregnancy: 7 Tips for Relief Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Low Back Pain National Institutes of Health

Diagnosis and Tests

• Discography (Discogram) Radiological Society of North America
• Lower Back Pain Symptom Checker Flowchart American Academy of Family Physicians
• Myelography National Library of Medicine
• Radiographic Assessment for Back Pain North American Spine Society

Encyclopedia

• Diskitis Medical Encyclopedia
• Lumbar MRI scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Lumbosacral spine x-ray Medical Encyclopedia
• Returning to sports after a back injury Medical Encyclopedia
• Spinal cord stimulation Medical Encyclopedia

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

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Getting It Straight: Improve Your Posture for Better Health National Institutes of Health
• Prevent Back Pain Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
• Prevention: The Best Treatment for Back Pain American Osteopathic Association

Related Issues

• Maintaining Good Posture American Chiropractic Association
• That Pain in Your Back Could Be Linked to Your Feet American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons

Living With

• Office Ergonomics Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Videos and Tutorials

• Prevention: Exercise North American Spine Society

Journal Articles

• Back Pain

Statistics and Research

• Retraining the Brain to Treat Chronic Back Pain National Institutes of Health