Chronic Pain:Low Back Pain
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SLIDESHOW
5 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
Surgery for Low Back Pain
• How to Decide if Surgery Can Solve Your Low Back Pain
• Which Kinds of Surgery Can Help Chronic Back Pain
• Innovations in Back Pain Surgery
• Make a Good Decision About Back Surgery
• 7 Questions You Should Ask Your Doctor About Back Surgery
• Choosing Back Surgery: Two Patients' Stories
Use the back surgery decision calculator
• Which Kinds of Surgery Can Help Chronic Back Pain
• Innovations in Back Pain Surgery
• Make a Good Decision About Back Surgery
• 7 Questions You Should Ask Your Doctor About Back Surgery
• Choosing Back Surgery: Two Patients' Stories
Use the back surgery decision calculator
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Spine Surgeon Richard Guyer Gives Straightforward Answers to Questions About Back Pain
Dr. Richard Guyer
Orthopedic surgeon at the Texas Back Institute
Q: When should I see a doctor about low back pain, and when can I treat it at home?
A: In most cases for an acute episode, resting a day or two, intermittent ice on the back, and ibuprofen—that is good first aid. If after a few days it’s not beginning to feel better or you have neurological symptoms—weakness, numbness, loss of bladder control—you need to see a physician. We know that 70% [of people] will get better in two to three weeks, 90% will get better within three months, and a small percentage will end up having some chronic back pain. Between 80% and 90% of people will have at least one episode of acute back pain in their lifetime; about one-third may experience intermittent pain throughout their life. Most first episodes will get better in a few days. Read More
A: In most cases for an acute episode, resting a day or two, intermittent ice on the back, and ibuprofen—that is good first aid. If after a few days it’s not beginning to feel better or you have neurological symptoms—weakness, numbness, loss of bladder control—you need to see a physician. We know that 70% [of people] will get better in two to three weeks, 90% will get better within three months, and a small percentage will end up having some chronic back pain. Between 80% and 90% of people will have at least one episode of acute back pain in their lifetime; about one-third may experience intermittent pain throughout their life. Most first episodes will get better in a few days. Read More
QUIZ
Test Your Back Pain IQ: Do You Know How to Get Relief?
Test your back pain IQ!
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
MY STORY
I Survived a Life of Too Much Pain and No Sleep
Years after a car accident wrecked her back, Pat fought for and found relief
After injuring her back in a car accident, Pat Skiba lived with the kind of pain most of us couldn't imagine. She survived on painkillers and without sleep. Finally she forced her doctor to take her pain seriously and fought a one-woman battle to find relief. Read More
GIVE AND TAKE
How One Couple Works Together to Conquer Chronic Back Pain
Learning how to manage the pain and manage to stay connected
Dealing with chronic pain can strain the strongest of relationships. Jan and her husband, Bill, have lived through five years of Jan's debilitating back pain. Jan's journey for pain relief has been hard on this athletic couple and their family. Here, Jan and Bill open up about how divisive and isolating pain can be and what they do to bridge that divide and stay strong together. Read More
Video: Perspectives on Low Back Pain
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I SurvivedWhat back pain has taught me
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Physical Therapy Can HelpHow PT tackles back pain
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Is Surgery a Good Choice?What to ask your doctor
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I Didn't Want SurgeryIt's hard to disagree with your doctor
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