Low back pain is one of the most common painful conditions.
Most back pain occurs without any particular cause which a patient remembers.
Similar to its onset, back pain usually disappears even if no particular treatment is given. Back pain usually only lasts for up to several weeks. It is much less common to have pain which lasts for more than 6 to 12 weeks. Severe or persistent pain should be evaluated by a spine specialist. Back pain which goes into the legs and involves any urinary or bowel habit changes should be closely evaluated.