LIVING WITH BACK PAIN

Health Information Basics for You and Your Family
For Your Information

This publication is not copyrighted. You may make copies of it and give out 

as many as you want.

For more copies, contact:

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin 

Diseases (NIAMS) Information Clearinghouse

National Institutes of Health

1 AMS Circle 

Bethesda, MD 20892-3675

You can find this publication on the NIAMS website at

https://www.niams.nih.gov.
Contents

What Is Back Pain? ..............................................................1

Who Gets Back Pain? ...........................................................2

When Should I See a Doctor? ...............................................3

How Do Doctors Treat Back Pain? .........................................4

How to Help Keep Your Back Healthy .....................................6

Research Supported by NIH/NIAMS .......................................8

Clinical Trials: You Could Make a Difference! ..........................9

Where Can I Find More Information About Back Pain? ..........10

Tear-out Tools

Back Pain Symptom Tracker ...............................................15

Daily Activity Tracker ..........................................................16

What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor About 

My Back Pain? ...................................................................17

Medication Tracker .............................................................18

Health Information Basics for You and Your Family 1

What Is Back Pain?

Back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the 

United States. Changes to any part of your back—such as ones 

that may occur with aging, getting hurt, or having other medical 

conditions—can lead to back pain. It can start suddenly or come 

on slowly. It may feel like a dull, constant ache, or a sudden, 

sharp pain.

Acute back pain happens suddenly and usually lasts a few days to 

a few weeks. Back pain that lasts longer than 12 weeks is called 

chronic back pain.
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Who Gets Back Pain?

Anyone can have back pain. You may be more likely to have back 

pain because of the following:

■ Age: Back pain is more common as you age.

■ Fitness level: Back pain is more common if you are out of 

shape. Weak back and abdominal muscles may result in 

back pain. You may also get back pain if you exercise too 

hard or too much.

■ Obesity: If you are overweight or obese, it can put stress 

on the back and cause pain.

■ Family history: Genes can play a role in some disorders that 

cause back pain.
Health Information Basics for You and Your Family 3

■ Some jobs: If your job requires you to lift, push, or pull 

while twisting your spine, you may be more likely to develop 

back pain. If you work at a desk all day and have poor 

posture, you may also develop back pain. 

When Should I See a Doctor?

Back pain usually goes away within a few weeks with home 

treatment and self-care. However, you should see a doctor if your 

pain does not improve or if you have any of the following with your 

back pain:

■ Tingling or numbness.

■ Severe pain that does not 

improve with treatment.

■ Back pain from a fall or 

injury.

■ Back pain with:

	Trouble urinating.

	Weakness, pain, or 

numbness in your legs.

	Fever.

	Unexplained weight loss.

Your doctor may use many tools to help figure out the cause 

of your back pain. This can include performing an exam and 

asking you about your family and medical history, your pain, and 

if anything makes your pain worse or better. Sometimes, your 

doctor may order testing, such as x-rays, other imaging tests, 

and blood tests.

See pages 15 through 18 for tools to help keep track of your 

medications and how your back pain changes over time.
4 LIVING WITH BACK PAIN

How Do Doctors Treat Back Pain? 

Your treatment may depend on why you have back pain and what 

kind of pain you have. Most acute back pain usually gets better 

after a few weeks of home treatment. 

Your doctor may recommend the following to help manage your 

back pain. 

■ Use cold packs to help with pain and hot packs to increase 

blood flow and help you heal. 

■ Do not lay down all day. Instead, limit activities or exercise 

that cause pain or make it worse. Slowly increase your 

activity as you are able. 

■ Use over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers for 

severe pain as directed by your doctor (see page 18 for a 

tear-out medication tracker).

■ Get physical therapy to help strengthen muscles and 

improve your posture. Check with your doctor or physical 

therapist before starting any exercise routine.

■ Practice healthy habits such as getting regular sleep, eating 

a healthy diet, and quitting smoking.
Health Information Basics for You and Your Family 5

You may want to try other types of therapies or treatments, such as:

■ Massage and adjustment of the spine and muscles by a 

professionally trained doctor or therapist.

■ A device that sends mild electrical pulses to the nerves 

through pads that are placed on your skin. 

■ Acupuncture, which is a Chinese practice that uses thin 

needles to help relieve pain. 

Doctors may consider surgery to treat your back pain if other 

treatments have not helped. However, surgery is not right for 

everyone, even if the pain persists. The type of surgery your 

doctor recommends depends on the cause of your pain and your 

medical history.
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How to Help Keep Your Back Healthy 

You can work with your doctor to help manage your back pain 

and keep your back healthy. Remember to follow your doctor’s 

directions. These tips may help: 

■ Slowly add exercises back into your daily routine. Talk to your 

doctor about the types of exercises that are best for you.

■ Ask your doctor if you should avoid certain activities or 

exercises.
Health Information Basics for You and Your Family 7

■ Wear comfortable shoes with a low heel.

■ When driving long distances, stop regularly to stand up and 

walk around.

■ When sitting for a long time, remember to get up, move 

around, and change your position frequently.

■ Limit the amount you carry. Instead of carrying more items 

at once, make extra trips.

■ Try to sleep on your side with a small pillow between your 

knees. If you sleep on your back, place a pillow under your 

knees. If possible, avoid sleeping on your stomach.
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Research Supported by NIH/NIAMS

Scientists supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and 

Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), part of the National 

Institutes of Health (NIH), are working to find out more about back 

pain. Researchers are looking at these issues:

■ Managing chronic low back pain.

■ Improving treatments for back pain.

■ Treating acute pain and preventing pain from becoming 

chronic.

■ Understanding the many factors that can cause back pain.

■ Preventing disability in people who have back pain.

■ Learning more about disorders that cause back pain to help 

prevent the disease from advancing.
Health Information Basics for You and Your Family 9

Clinical Trials: You Could Make a Difference!

A clinical trial is a type of research study that involves people who 

volunteer to take part in it. Most clinical trials test a new treatment for 

a health problem, like a new drug or diet. Clinical trials help doctors 

learn if a new treatment is better, the same, or worse than standard 

care. Other clinical trials test ways to prevent a disease or find it early. 

Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial would be right for you. 

When you volunteer to take part in clinical research, you help doctors 

and researchers learn more about back pain. 

Also, when you participate in a study, you may have the chance to 

receive the newest treatment and have additional care from the clinical 

trial staff.

To learn more about the basics of participating in a clinical trial, visit 

the website NIH Clinical Research Trials and You at https://www.nih.

gov/health-information/nih-clinical-research-trials-you.

At that website you will find:

■ Information on risks and potential benefits.

■ Firsthand stories from clinical trial volunteers.

■ Explanations from researchers.

■ Instructions for finding a clinical trial at the NIH or somewhere 

else in the country. 

To hear from people who have taken part in clinical studies led by 

NIAMS researchers, watch the videos at https://www.niams.nih.

gov/community-outreach-initiative/clinical-research.
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Where Can I Find More Information 

About Back Pain?

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and 

Skin Diseases (NIAMS) Information Clearinghouse

National Institutes of Health

1 AMS Circle 

Bethesda, MD 20892-3675 

Phone: 301-495-4484

Toll free: 877-22-NIAMS (226-4267) 

TTY: 301-565-2966

Fax: 301-718-6366

Email: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov

Website: https://www.niams.nih.gov

For more information about back pain, 

visit https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/back-pain

If you need more information about available resources in your 

language or another language, please visit our website or contact 

the NIAMS Information Clearinghouse.
Health Information Basics for You and Your Family 11

Other Resources

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Toll free: 888-INFO-FDA (888-463-6332)

Website: https://www.fda.gov

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Website: https://www.ahrq.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 

National Center for Health Statistics

Website: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs

CDC, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Website: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Website: https://nccih.nih.gov

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Website: https://www.ninds.nih.gov

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Website: https://www.aaos.org
12 LIVING WITH BACK PAIN

American Chiropractic Association

Website: https://www.acatoday.org

American College of Rheumatology

Website: https://www.rheumatology.org

American Osteopathic Association

Website: https://www.osteopathic.org

North American Spine Society

Website: https://www.spine.org

Arthritis Foundation

Website: https://www.arthritis.org
Health Information Basics for You and Your Family 13

The mission of the National Institute of Arthritis and 

Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), a part of the U.S. 

Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institutes of 

Health (NIH), is to support research into the causes, treatment, 

and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases; 

the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this 

research; and the dissemination of information on research 

progress in these diseases. The NIAMS Information Clearinghouse 

is a public service sponsored by the NIAMS that provides health 

information and information sources. Additional information can be 

found on the NIAMS website at https://www.niams.nih.gov.
14 LIVING WITH BACK PAIN

Notes:
Health Information Basics for You and Your Family Health Information Basics for You and Your Family 18

LIVING WITH BACK PAIN

15

Back Pain Symptom Tracker

This symptom tracker can help you 

and your doctor understand more 

about your condition and health. 

Write down how you feel and any 

changes in your health. Share this 

information with your doctor at 

each appointment.

Pain Scale

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

No Pain Very Little Pain Some Pain Moderate Pain Severe Pain Unbearable Pain

Common back pain symptoms: 

■ Increasing pain with lifting and bending.

■ Worsening pain when resting, sitting, or 

standing.

■ Back pain that comes and goes.

■ Stiffness in the morning when awakening 

and lessened back pain with activity.

■ Pain that radiates away from the back into 

the buttocks, leg, or hip.

Symptom (describe 

what it is and 

where)

When 

did the 

symptom 

start?

Did the symptom go away? 

If so when?

Did anything help ease

or relieve the pain?

How bad is the symptom 

or pain?

Low back and

buttock pain November 30 No Rest and heat 5 (from pain scale)

Notes or Concerns:
Health Information Basics for You and Your Family

LIVING WITH BACK PAIN

16

Daily Activity Tracker

To help you manage your back pain, it’s important for you to tell your doctor about your ability to do day-to-day tasks. Use 

this tool to monitor your daily activities. Share this information with your doctor at every appointment.

Below you will find a few examples. Fill in blank rows with similar activities that you do every day.

Activity Easy to Do Some Effort Extra Effort Difficult Unable

Attend social events November 1 November 22, 23 November 26

Bathe or shower

Concentrate or focus

Do chores around the 

house such as cleaning

Get dressed

Keep appointments

Exercise

Walk

Run
Health Information Basics for You and Your Family 20

What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor About My Back Pain?

Use this worksheet as a guide to start a conversation about back pain with your doctor. By talking with your doctor, you can 

work together to help manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. 

Ask some of the questions below, and use the blank spaces to fill in your own questions.

Common Questions Answers/Notes

Are there any new treatments that may help 

my symptoms?

Should I see other types of health care 

providers to help manage my back pain?

How often do I need to come to the doctor’s 

office for regular checkups?

Is there anything else I can do to make my 

symptoms better?

Are there any exercises I should do to help my 

back pain?

Should I avoid any activities or exercises?

Health Information Basics for You and Your Family

LIVING WITH BACK PAIN

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Health Information Basics for You and Your Family

LIVING WITH BACK PAIN

18

TEAR OFF

Medication Tracker

Keeping track of your medications helps you and your doctor keep you healthy. 

Use this page to keep track of all your medications, including any over-the-counter medications or supplements. Take it with 

you to all of your doctor appointments. 

Name of

Medication

What’s

It For? Doctor Dose When to 

Take It

How 

Often

Notes or Concerns About 

Medications

a

January 2021