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    Low Back Pain

    Low Back Pain



    Treatment Overview

    Experts divide low back pain into two categories:

    • Acute: This is pain that has lasted less than 3 months. Most people get better with home treatment.
    • Chronic: This is pain that has lasted longer than 3 months. People with chronic back pain are usually helped with more intensive treatment.

    Treatment for acute low back pain

    Learn about the Reference first aid steps you can take when you first get back pain, such as using heat or ice, taking medicine, and not resting too much.

    Sometimes acute low back pain lasts longer than a few days, even after you try first aid steps. In such a case, you might add another treatment, such as Reference manual therapy Opens New Window or stronger pain medicine.

    If your pain is very bad, your health care provider may recommend short-term use of an Reference opiate painkiller or a Reference muscle relaxant. Some people consider Reference epidural steroid shots.

    Picture of Dr. Keller

    Answers From an Expert:

    "Stay as active as you can. Doctors used to say to rest, but it turns out that this is not the case. The more active you are, the better you will be, and the faster you will heal."—Dr. Robert Keller

    Reference Read more advice from this back specialist.

    Picture of a woman sweeping the floor

    One Woman's Story:

    "I thought, 'Okay, it will hurt for a day or two, and that's it.' But it lasted a lot longer. It took about 3 weeks. I guess we're used to fast cures. We take an aspirin, and the headache goes away. We take the antibiotic, and the infection disappears." —Lorna

    Reference Read more about how Lorna learned to be patient with her back.

    Treatment for chronic low back pain

    If you have chronic back pain, one type of treatment by itself doesn't always stop your pain. Reference Spinal manipulation can work to relieve low back pain. Other treatments can too.

    Opens New Window Low Back Pain: Should I Have Spinal Manipulation? Opens New Window



    By: Reference Healthwise Staff Last Revised: Reference November 19, 2012
    Medical Review: Reference William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
    Reference Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics


    This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.


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