For everyday causes of lower back pain, standard at-home pain management is a reasonable approach. In fact, most cases of lower back pain are caused by a muscle strain and will get better relatively quickly and do not require treatment from a medical professional.
Lower back pain is common and usually does not require urgent medical care.
In This Article:
- Back Care for Lower Back Pain
- When to Seek Medical Care for Low Back Pain
- Video: 6 Overlooked Remedies for Lower Back Pain Relief
If pain has lasted longer than one to two weeks, or begins to interfere with one’s mobility and daily activities, or if there are troubling symptoms, seeking care from a medical professional is recommended.
Back Care: First Line Treatments
In most cases, back pain is caused by a simple muscle strain and can be managed by the individual through common self-care practices.
See Pulled Back Muscle Treatment
Initial pain management techniques may include a combination of:
A short period of rest
A short period of rest can help calm the symptoms of back pain.
A short rest period limited to one or two days, in which strenuous activity is minimized and excess pressure is kept off the spine. Sitting in a reclined position, with the legs supported and elevated (such as in recliner, or in bed supported by cushions) is typically a comfortable position that minimizes stress on the lower back.
Over-the-counter pain medication
OTC medication may help alleviate lower back pain.
OTC medication including NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin) or acetaminophen may be used. Popular brand names include Tylenol, Advil, and Aleve.
Application of ice
Cold packs help alleviate low back pain by reducing inflammation.
A cold pack is applied to the lower back to decrease local inflammation, which often accompanies back pain as a response to injury. Ice is typically recommended within the first 48 hours of the onset of pain. It is important to avoid direct application of ice to the skin (to avoid ice burn).
Application of heat
Heat therapy may help ease pain, relax muscles, and promote healing.
Heat application helps to ease muscle tension, relieve muscle spasms, and increase oxygenated blood flow to the area to facilitate healing. Most of the time, heat works best when used after the first 48 hours of back pain.
Small adjustments to posture
Using a walker for transitioning from sitting to standing may reduce spinal pressure.
Making small adjustments to posture or daily activities may help take pressure off the spine. For example, move carefully and/or with assistance from a sitting to a standing position, and take frequent short walks, as tolerated, to maintain a healthy blood flow and reduce stiffness.
After a short rest period, it is recommended that patients stay active, as too much rest can add to stiffness and discomfort.
Stretches that mobilize the spine’s joints and gently stretch back muscles can help the patient return to normal daily function. The sooner a patient can return to everyday activity, the sooner low back pain is likely to alleviate.
Physical Activity and Low Back Care
Low-impact aerobic exercise may help build strength and promote healing in the low back.
Regular physical activity is necessary even during an episode of back pain, as exercise helps maintain muscle strength and joint function. Regular exercise also encourages the healing process by increasing oxygen and nutrient rich blood flow to the spine.
People with back pain may find that low-impact aerobic exercise, which raises the heart rate without jolting the spine, allows for adequate exercise despite pain. Examples of simple, low-impact aerobic exercises include:
- Exercise walking or walking briskly enough to elevate the heart rate for between 30 and 40 minutes. Walking can serve as a good starting point for someone looking to improve their physical health, and it is versatile enough to be done anywhere the patient is comfortable—on the track or treadmill at a local gym, around the neighborhood, or at a shopping mall. For many with lower back pain, it is a good idea to start with shorter walks and gradually, over a period of weeks, build up to walking for 30 minutes or more at a time.
- If walking is too painful or makes pain worse, water therapy may be a good alternative. The buoyancy of the water helps to support the patient’s weight in a more controlled manner, allowing for adequate exercise without putting as much pressure on the spine.
Other low-impact aerobics include the use of stationary bicycles or elliptical machines.
Finding effective exercise that does not exacerbate pain may be a process of trial and error, and is typically up to the preference of the patient.

The lower back supports the weight of the upper body and provides mobility for everyday motions, such as walking, bending, and twisting. Lower back pain may result from lumbar spine problems.
What are the common causes of chronic lower back pain?
Low back pain that lasts for more than 3 months often involves a disc problem, a joint problem, and/or an irritated nerve root. Common spine-related causes include:
- Compression Fracture
- Facet Joint Dysfunction
- Spondylolisthesis
Additional conditions include lumbar herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, spinal stenosis, and osteoarthritis.
What are the common symptoms associated with lower back pain?
- LOCALIZED PAIN. A dull ache or sharp pain that tends to be localized to the lower back, buttocks, and sometimes the hips.
- LEG PAIN. A sharp, electric, burning-type pain (sciatica) that may be associated with numbness or weakness and is typically felt on only one side of the body.
- POSTURE-INDUCED PAIN. Pain that worsens after prolonged sitting or standing, or after changing positions such as by bending forward, twisting, and/or lying down.
How is lower back pain treated?
Nonsurgical Treatments
A doctor may recommend one or a combination of the following nonsurgical or self-care options:
- Physical Therapy
- Ice or Heat Therapy
- Epidural Steroid
- Injections Medication
- Manual Manipulation
Surgical Treatments
Spinal surgery may be recommended in case of a medical emergency or for severe lower back pain that does not get better after 6 to 12 weeks of nonsurgical treatments.
- Microdiscectomy or Laminectomy
- Lumbar Spinal Fusion
- Artificial Disc Replacement
This information is not intended or implied as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images or other information provided is intended for general information purposes only. Always consult with your physician for diagnosis or treatment.