Back pain AudioHealth Library Topic 1450 Back pain Back pain or discomfort is a very common health problem that often is more common as people age, and that may come and go over a period of many years. In most cases, the cause of back pain is not serious, and the pain will go away with simple home treatment and the passage of time. An acute attack of back pain is an attack that lasts less than six weeks, while chronic attacks generally last for more than three months.
Most back pain is related to muscle and ligament strain or sprain.
Back pain that affects nerves in the spine, producing pain in the buttocks and down the leg past the knee, is much less common. Pain may begin immediately after over-exertion or injury, or be delayed by several hours. A small percentage of back pain is related to aging and disease. If you are experiencing back pain lasting for more than two weeks, you should see a doctor for an evaluation to make sure that the pain is not being caused by a more unusual health problem. The vast majority of back pain cases heal by themselves with the help of some home care measures.