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- Patient information: Back pain in children and adolescents
- Patient information: Low back pain in adults
- Approach to the diagnosis and evaluation of low back pain in adults
- Back pain in children and adolescents: Overview of causes
- Evaluation of the child with back pain
- Lumbosacral radiculopathy: Prognosis and treatment
- Musculoskeletal changes and pain during pregnancy
- Occupational low back pain: Treatment
- Spinal manipulation in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain
- Subacute and chronic low back pain: Nonsurgical interventional treatment
- Subacute and chronic low back pain: Pharmacologic and noninterventional treatment
- Subacute and chronic low back pain: Surgical treatment
- Treatment of acute low back pain
- Vertebral osteomyelitis and discitis
Patient information: A guide to back pain
Contents of this article
BACK PAIN OVERVIEW
Back pain is one of the most common types of pain, with most adults experiencing at least one episode of back pain during their lifetime. Pain may be mild and located in one distinct area, or it may be more severe, spreading to other areas such as one or both legs. There are a variety of causes of back pain, from muscle strain to injury to everyday stress. It's not always possible to know what causes back pain, especially if it's not related to a recent injury.
Most episodes of back pain resolve with time, even without treatment. Less commonly, back pain does not get better, which may lead you to search for treatment. Learning about back pain treatment options will help you to make a decision, along with your healthcare provider, about which treatment is right for you.
UPTODATE BACK PAIN RESOURCES
Patient information — UpToDate has a number of articles for family members and patients living with back pain. These articles are available on the internet at www.uptodate.com/patients.
(see "Patient information: Back pain in children and adolescents")
(see "Patient information: Low back pain in adults")
Premium subscription information — More detailed information is also available by subscription.
Adults
(see "Approach to the diagnosis and evaluation of low back pain in adults")
(see "Treatment of acute low back pain")
(see "Subacute and chronic low back pain: Nonsurgical interventional treatment")
(see "Subacute and chronic low back pain: Pharmacologic and noninterventional treatment")
(see "Subacute and chronic low back pain: Surgical treatment")
(see "Lumbosacral radiculopathy: Prognosis and treatment")
(see "Occupational low back pain: Treatment")
(see "Musculoskeletal changes and pain during pregnancy")
(see "Spinal manipulation in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain")
(see "Vertebral osteomyelitis and discitis")
Children
(see "Back pain in children and adolescents: Overview of causes")
