The majority of persons with back pain have a good prognosis and will heal in a few weeks. It depends, however, on the origin of the back pain and how it is treated. Acute strain injuries usually heal with little therapy, but a slipped disc causing sciatic nerve irritation may require surgery. As the symptoms of long-term back problems are more likely to remain, it's best to seek treatment for back pain as soon as possible. For example, seeing a physiotherapist as soon as possible can help you recover faster and prevent the condition from recurring.