Inclusion Criteria:  Age ≥ 18 years Low back pain (originating between 12th rib and buttocks) Symptom duration ≤ 30 days (current episode) Evaluated by a physician randomized to either study arm Evaluated when ED physical therapy is available (e.g., Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm) Likely to be discharged home (based on physician assessment) Ability to complete follow-up data collection electronically or by telephone English-speaking  Exclusion Criteria:  Chronic low back pain or prior lumbar surgery Serious red-flag signs/symptoms (bladder/bowel incontinence, saddle anesthesia, debilitating motor weakness) Obvious non-musculoskeletal etiology for low back pain (e.g., shingles, kidney stone) Other concomitant injuries or pain (e.g., closed head injury, shoulder pain) Unable to ambulate at baseline Known pregnancy, under police custody, unable to consent