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Low back pain is a common problem that can have many causes, from muscle strain to a herniated disc. You should see a doctor for low back pain that persists, is severe, or could mean nerve compression.
UPMC offers many treatments for low back pain, including pain medication, steroid injections, physical therapy, lifestyle management, and surgery.
Related services include:
Low back pain can feel like a stabbing, burning, or aching pain. It can be constant or come and go during the course of the day.
While most low back pain resolves over time, episodes of low back pain often return. You can treat and prevent low back pain with lifestyle changes and care from your doctor.
Low back pain can have many causes, such as:
Your low back pain could also be from something not listed above.
Low back pain is more likely in people over age 30. Chronic low back pain is especially common between the ages of 50 and 60, according to the National Library of Medicine.
Besides age, your lifestyle can contribute to low back pain.
Certain risk factors can make lower back pain more likely, including:
Left untreated, back pain can worsen over time.
People with low back pain may exercise less, increasing their risk of many diseases, including diabetes and heart problems.
Low back pain can also make it hard to engage with friends or family. It can impact your sleep and how well you're able to do your job, and make leisure activities less enjoyable.
Long-term or recurring back pain is a serious health problem that requires expert care.
You can help prevent low back pain if you:
Lower back pain is very common, with 75% to 85% of Americans getting it at some point in their lives, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.
For some people, low back pain is chronic, meaning it lasts longer than 12 weeks or frequently returns. About 8% of Americans suffer from chronic low back pain, according to the National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health.
Depending on the cause, people with low back pain may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
See your doctor if your low back pain does not go away after a few weeks, or comes with other concerning symptoms.
You should always see a doctor if you have:
Many providers can diagnose low back pain. You might see your primary care doctor, a physical therapist specializing in spine, a sports medicine doctor, or a surgeon.
To diagnose lower back pain, your doctor will ask when the pain started. They will want to know how the pain feels — sharp, burning, or aching — and what makes it better or worse. They will also ask about your daily activities to see if your lifestyle may contribute to your back pain.
Your doctor may ask you to walk or do specific exercises. They may have you lie on a table while they move your legs to see how this affects your pain. They may also examine your lower back and legs to check for signs of swelling or weakness.
Most cases of low back pain do not need imaging tests. Doctors can often diagnose the cause based on your symptoms, lifestyle factors, and the physical exam.
For back pain that does not go away, is very severe, or comes with other concerning symptoms, your doctor may order tests.
They will choose which test to run based on whether the problem seems related to the bones or soft tissues.
Options include:
Treatment for low back pain depends on what is causing it. In many cases, low back pain requires more than one type of therapy.
Doctors usually start with lifestyle changes and medication, only considering surgery if those do not work. The goal of treatment is to dramatically reduce back pain and, ideally, resolve it completely.
Your doctor will discuss your lifestyle and suggest changes you can make to reduce your back pain.
These may include:
Your doctor may suggest over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medicines. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are helpful for lower back pain but may not be appropriate for everyone.
A primary spine practitioner is a physical therapist specializing in the spine. They will teach you exercises to strengthen specific muscles in your back, abdomen, glutes, and legs. Over time, this will improve the support for your spine and prevent pain.
Your doctor may advise you to only sit or stand for a certain amount of time each day. They may also tell you to avoid specific movements, like lifting, and avoid sports until your pain resolves.
For pain that shoots from the lower back down the leg, known as sciatica, steroid injections can help. Studies show steroid injections at the base of the spine can improve pain for about a month or so. These injections can help in combination with lifestyle changes, which may take longer to work.
Sometimes, lower back pain requires surgery. Doctors only recommend surgery when other treatments do not work, or if needed to avoid nerve damage.
Various surgical techniques can help to stabilize the spine and prevent pain.
For example, the surgeon may replace worn or damaged discs that do not stay in place or properly cushion the vertebrae. They may fuse parts of the vertebrae together to make the spine more stable. They can also remove bone spurs that can grow in the spine and compress nerves.
While surgery can relieve pain for some, it carries risks, including infection and nerve damage. It also has a long recovery time, taking about six weeks before people can return to light activity. This is why doctors only suggest surgery when it is likely to be successful and is necessary.
Some people find relief in remedies like massage, acupuncture, or heat (from a hot bath or heating pad). Psychological services can help when stress adds to low back pain or depression makes lifestyle changes difficult.
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-05-16.
