Overview

Because about 90 percent of back pain episodes clear up within six weeks with little or no treatment, people suffering from back pain can safely try self-treatment as long as they are not experiencing severe pain or symptoms of a dangerous condition. In general, back pain due to muscle injury will abate completely in about six to eight weeks. Back pain lasting longer than this is usually due to spinal column changes and merits a visit to a physician.

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People whose severe back pain lasts more than a few days, or whose mild to moderate back pain does not respond to self-treatment, should see their primary-care physician.

This section has more on

• Self-treatment
• Alternative therapies
• Prescription drugs
• Spinal manipulation
• Treatment for particular causes of back pain
• Are you a good candidate for spinal fusion?

Prolonged bed rest (more than four days), spinal traction, lumbar corsets (except as a preventive measure by people who often lift heavy objects), support belts, and back machines are not recommended. Though still used occasionally, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), the application of low-energy electrical radiation to numb the nerves, is not advised.