Back pain can lead to issues with activities of daily living, work ability and sexual functioning.

People with chronic back pain experience higher levels of psychological distress (e.g., depression and anger), and these feelings can interfere with their daily life.

People who experience anxiety related to back pain may actively avoid movement, which tends to worsen pre-existing difficulties with daily life activities and work.

Most people with back pain do not require surgery. Instead, they can manage and improve symptoms through lifelong lifestyle changes and conservative treatments. These treatments may include physical therapy, pain management, physiatry, weight management, stress management, biofeedback, heat/ice therapy and anti-inflammatory medications. There are many simple ways to reduce and manage back pain on your own at home, such as stretching, core strength and flexibility exercises (e.g., yoga and Pilates), and applying cold or heat to the affected areas.

Most people with back pain do not require surgery. Instead, they can manage and improve symptoms through lifelong lifestyle changes and conservative treatments. These treatments may include physical therapy, pain management, physiatry, weight management, stress management, biofeedback, heat/ice therapy and anti-inflammatory medications. There are many simple ways to reduce and manage back pain on your own at home, such as stretching, core strength and flexibility exercises (e.g., yoga and Pilates), and applying cold or heat to the affected areas.

In most cases, back pain will reduce and resolve on its own within three months. Surgery and other forms of specialist intervention are only considered in specific cases when conservative treatments have not improved symptoms. Experiences of pain and numbness traveling down one or both arms/legs may lead to investigation of whether your spinal nerves are being compressed, especially if it does not resolve with a good conservative treatment program.