Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical help or miss work. Back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide.

Fortunately, measures can help prevent or relieve most back pain episodes, especially for people younger than age 60. If prevention fails, simple home treatment and using the body correctly often can heal the back within a few weeks. Surgery is rarely needed to treat back pain.

Back pain can range from a muscle ache to a shooting, burning or stabbing feeling. Also, the pain can radiate down a leg. Bending, twisting, lifting, standing or walking can make pain worse.

When to see a doctor

Most back pain improves over time with home treatment and self-care, often within a few weeks. Contact your healthcare professional for back pain that:

In some people, back pain can signal a serious medical problem. This is rare, but seek immediate care for back pain that:

Back pain often develops without a cause that shows up in a test or an imaging study. Conditions commonly linked to back pain include:

Anyone can develop back pain, even children and teens. These factors can increase the risk of developing back pain:

Improving one’s physical condition and learning and practicing how to use the body might help prevent back pain.

To keep the back healthy and strong:

Avoid movements that twist or strain the back. To use the body properly:

Buyer beware

Because back pain is common, many products promise prevention or relief. But there’s no good evidence that special shoes, shoe inserts, back supports or specially designed furniture can help.

In addition, there doesn’t appear to be one type of mattress that’s best for people with back pain. It’s probably a matter of what feels most comfortable to each person.

Your healthcare professional examines your back and assesses your ability to sit, stand, walk and lift your legs. The health professional also might ask you to rate your pain on a scale of zero to 10 and to talk about how your pain affects your daily activities.

These assessments help determine where the pain comes from and how much you can move before pain or muscle spasms force you to stop. Exams also can help rule out more-serious causes of back pain.

One or more of these tests might help pinpoint the cause of the back pain:

Most back pain gets better within a month using home treatment, especially for people younger than age 60. However, for many, the pain lasts several months.

Pain relievers and the use of heat might be all that’s needed. Bed rest isn’t recommended.

Continue your activities as much as you can with back pain. Try light activity, such as walking. Stop activity that increases pain, but don’t avoid activity out of fear of pain. If home treatments aren’t working after several weeks, your healthcare professional might recommend stronger medicines or other therapies.

Medicines

Medicines depend on the type of back pain. They might include:

Physical therapy

A physical therapist can teach exercises to increase flexibility, strengthen back and abdominal muscles, and improve posture. Regular use of these techniques can help keep pain from returning. Physical therapists also teach how to modify movements during an episode of back pain to avoid flaring pain symptoms while staying active.

Surgical and other procedures

Procedures used to treat back pain may include:

A number of alternative treatments might ease back pain. Always discuss the benefits and risks with your healthcare professional before starting a new alternative therapy.
Alternative treatments may include:

If your back pain persists despite home treatment, see your healthcare professional. Here’s some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

Make a list of:

Take a family member or friend along, if possible, to help you remember the information you receive.

For back pain, questions to ask your healthcare professional include:

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare professional is likely to ask you questions, including:

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