Depending on the level of low-back pain you have and how often you have it, your treatment options may vary greatly. We hope this information about back pain helps you be and feel healthier and get the most out of the health care services you receive.
There are many different causes of low-back pain. It can be very painful, often making it difficult to conduct daily activities. Frequently, a specific cause is never found. The good news is in most cases, low-back pain resolves with time. Below are some guidelines to help you make informed choices about your care.
Please note: the information below is not intended as medical advice for your particular situation. Call your primary care provider for medical advice or if you have any questions.
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For the vast majority of individuals who experience an acute episode of low-back pain, 90 percent recover within six weeks.
However, if you're experiencing back pain along with one or more of the following 'red flag' symptoms or conditions, contact your primary care doctor immediately to rule out any serious causes:
In most situations, back pain goes away in a few weeks after using self-care or conservative treatment measures. If those measures are unsuccessful, your doctor will recommend more aggressive treatment. Below is a summary of the stages of back pain treatment.
As long as you don't have any red flag conditions with your back pain, there are some simple steps you can take to help your back heal:
Most people feel better after using these self-care measures for a few weeks. If you are not improving, contact your primary care doctor to see if an office visit is needed. Your doctor may provide you with exercises to help strengthen your back, and may prescribe medication to help alleviate your pain. He or she may also refer you to a specialist for further evaluation.
If early treatment measures are unsuccessful in addressing your back pain, your primary care doctor may refer you to a:
Each of these providers uses conservative, noninvasive measures to relieve your back pain.
For people with chronic back pain (pain lasting longer than 6 weeks), studies suggest that the most effective treatment is a therapy program that focuses on improving spine fitness and strength. Providers that specialize in this type of active rehabilitation use intensive exercise, specially designed machines and other methods to reduce pain and restore function.
If your chronic pain doesn't respond to these treatments, your doctor may recommend injections. While invasive, injections are still considered a conservative treatment. There are various types of injections, with some having limits on how often and how many times they can be used. As with any procedure, there are potential risks associated with injections. Additionally, studies show mixed results on whether certain injections are effective. Discuss specific concerns with your doctor.
If early treatment and conservative treatment measures are unsuccessful, your doctor may refer you to an orthopedist or a neurosurgeon to be evaluated as a possible surgery candidate. Generally, surgery is helpful for only a small percentage of people with low-back pain. Some conditions that can be treated with surgery include:
After most surgeries, a comprehensive rehabilitation program is necessary.
You can learn more about back pain treatment options on MedlinePlus, or, if you are a Medica member, you may also have access to information on mymedica.com in the Health and Wellness Center.
Please note the information shown here is not intended as medical advice for your particular situation. Call your primary care provider for medical advice or if you have any questions.
To see cost and quality information for providers who treat back pain, select a link from the list below.
These providers offer a specific, focused program for treating chronic low-back pain. The programs use exercise and other methods to reduce pain and restore function.
Health care professionals who treat back problems using techniques such as manipulation and adjustment of the spine; massage; application of heat or cold; and electrical stimulation.
Medical doctors with a surgical specialty in treating diseases and disorders of the brain, spinal cord and other parts of the nervous system.
Medical doctors with a surgical specialty who use surgical and non-surgical methods to treat and correct deformities, diseases and injuries to the skeletal system and surrounding muscles.
Health care professionals who use non-surgical treatments and exercises that reduce pain, restore function and prevent disabilities.
Medical doctors who serve as the patient's primary contact for health care services. Primary care doctors generally focus on prevention and health maintenance, as well as treatment of common acute and chronic ailments. These physicians may specialize in family medicine, internal medicine or pediatrics.
Medical doctors who diagnose and treat patients with physical disabilities using non-surgical methods. Rehabilitative medicine physicians (also called physiatrists) may also lead a team of other medical professionals who carry out the treatment plan the physiatrist develops. Pain management is often an important part of their role.
View a list of clinics with rehabilitative medicine physicians/ physiatrists on staff
Medical doctors who use imaging methodologies to diagnose and manage patients and provide therapeutic options.
View more information about radiologists' role in treating back pain
There are several things you can do to prevent a back injury:
Find other tips for preventing a back injury on MedlinePlus.
Please note the information shown here is not intended as medical advice for your particular situation. Call your primary care provider for medical advice or if you have any questions.
Smoking interferes with circulation, which can rob your spinal disks of oxygen-rich blood, speeding disk degeneration. If you smoke, do your back a favor and quit! If you're a Medica member, call the Customer Service number on the back of your medical ID card to see if you have access to resources that can help you kick the habit.
Find a variety of back pain tools, information and resources on Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons/American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
American Association of Neurological Surgeons
90 percent of people with low-back pain feel better within six weeks.