Test Your Back Pain IQ: Do You Know How to Get Relief?

Test Your Back Pain IQ: Do You Know How to Get Relief?

As many as 20% of Americans experience a monthlong bout of back pain each year. That's a lot of moaning on the couch and missing out on fun or even work. But there are simple ways to ease the pain. If you or someone you love suffers from serious backaches, take our quiz to catch up on the latest thinking about how to relieve the pain. Read More

Quick Ways to Stop Back Pain

Roughly 8 out of 10 people suffer from back pain at some point during their lives. Women, in particular, are prone to posture and back problems—thanks to toting around outrageously heavy purses, going through pregnancy, or giving one-hip rides to kids. Whether you’re in the midst of fighting the ache or just want to prevent it, here are some expert-endorsed quick-and-easy ways to wage your war. View Slideshow

Low Back Pain

The course of low back pain depends both on its cause and on how well you treat your back.
Most low back pain lasts less than 3 months. Overall, 60% of low back pain goes away within 1 week, 90% within 6 weeks, and up to 95% recover within 12 weeks. Over 98% of low back pain is gone within 1 year.1
After the first time you have hurt your back, you are more likely to hurt your back again. Many people who recover from low back pain will have a repeat episode within a year. Most people will have it again sometime during their lives.
Long-lasting (chronic) pain not only makes you tired, irritable, and less productive and active, but it can trigger other problems. If your back pain causes you to use your body in different ways (for example to limp or to sit differently), pain can develop in other areas of the body. Pain can also cause biochemical changes in your body that tend to keep the pain going. Without specialized treatment, chronic pain syndrome can become disabling.