Acute or short-term low back pain generally lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Most acute back pain is the result of trauma to the lower back or a disorder such as arthritis. Pain from trauma may be caused by a sports injury, work around the house or in the garden, or a sudden jolt such as a car accident or other stress on spinal bones and tissues. Symptoms may range from muscle ache to shooting or stabbing pain, limited flexibility and range of motion, or an inability to stand straight. Chronic back pain is pain that persists for more than 3 months. It is often progressive and the cause can be difficult to determine.
Most low back pain can be treated without surgery. Treatment involves using over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce discomfort
and anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation. The goal of treatment is to restore proper function and strength to the
back, and prevent recurrence of the injury. Medications are often used to treat acute and chronic low back pain. Effective
pain relief may involve a combination of prescription drugs and over-the-counter remedies. Although the use of cold and hot
compresses has never been scientifically proven to quickly resolve low back injury, compresses may help reduce pain and inflammation
and allow greater mobility for some individuals. Bed rest is recommended for only 1–2 days at most. Individuals should resume
activities as soon as possible. Exercise may be the most effective way to speed recovery from low back pain and help strengthen
back and abdominal muscles. In the most serious cases, when the condition does not respond to other therapies, surgery may
relieve pain caused by back problems or serious musculoskeletal injuries.
Most patients with back pain recover without residual functional loss, but individuals should contact a doctor if there is
not a noticeable reduction in pain and inflammation after 72 hours of self-care. Recurring back pain resulting from improper
body mechanics or other nontraumatic causes is often preventable. Engaging in exercises that don't jolt or strain the back,
maintaining correct posture, and lifting objects properly can help prevent injuries. Many work-related injuries are caused
or aggravated by stressors such as heavy lifting, vibration, repetitive motion, and awkward posture. Applying ergonomic principles
— designing furniture and tools to protect the body from injury — at home and in the workplace can greatly reduce the risk
of back injury and help maintain a healthy back.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and other institutes of the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) conduct pain research in laboratories at the NIH and also support pain research through grants to major medical institutions
across the country. Currently, researchers are examining the use of different drugs to effectively treat back pain, in particular, chronic pain that has lasted at least
6 months. Other studies are comparing different health care approaches to the management of acute low back pain (standard
care versus chiropractic, acupuncture, or massage therapy). These studies are measuring symptom relief, restoration of function,
and patient satisfaction. Other research is comparing standard surgical treatments to the most commonly used standard nonsurgical
treatments to measure changes in health-related quality of life among patients suffering from spinal stenosis.
American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA) P.O. Box 850 Rocklin, CA 95677-0850 ACPA@pacbell.net http://www.theacpa.org Tel: 916-632-0922 800-533-3231 Fax: 916-652-8190 |
American Pain Foundation 201 North Charles Street Suite 710 Baltimore, MD 21201-4111 info@painfoundation.org http://www.painfoundation.org Tel: 888-615-PAIN (7246) Fax: 410-385-1832 |
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal
and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse 1 AMS Circle Bethesda, MD 20892-3675 NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov http://www.niams.nih.gov Tel: 877-22-NIAMS (226-4267) 301-565-2966 (TTY) Fax: 301-718-6366 |
American Association of Neurological Surgeons 5550 Meadowbrook Drive Rolling Meadows, IL 60008-3852 info@aans.org http://www.aans.org Tel: 847-378-0500/888-566-AANS (2267) Fax: 847-378-0600 |
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons/
American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons 6300 North River Road Rosemont, IL 60018 hackett@aaos.org http://www.aaos.org Tel: 847-823-7186 Fax: 847-823-8125 |
American Academy of Family Physicians 11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway Suite 440 Leawood, KS 66211-2672 fp@aafp.org http://www.aafp.org Tel: 913-906-6000/800-274-2237 Fax: 913-906-6095 |
Alzheimer's Association 225 North Michigan Avenue 17th Floor Chicago, IL 60601-7633 info@alz.org http://www.alz.org Tel: 312-335-8700 1-800-272-3900 (24-hour helpline) TDD: 312-335-5886 Fax: 866.699.1246 |
American Academy of Neurological and Orthopaedic Surgeons 10 Cascade Creek Lane Las Vegas, NV 89113 aanos@aanos.org http://www.aanos.org Tel: 702-388-7390 Fax: 702-871-4728 |
American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 330 North Wabash Ave. Suite 2500 Chicago, IL 60611-7617 info@aapmr.org http://www.aapmr.org Tel: 312-464-9700 Fax: 312-464-0227 |
Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892
NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.
All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.
Last updated April 24, 2009