Back Pain Archive

An x-ray, CT scan, or MRI is usually not needed for addressing low back pain unless people have other symptoms or risk factors for a serious condition. Short-term rest, heat or cold, and over-the-counter medication can ease discomfort until the back pain goes away.

Low back pain is common. It often results from poor posture, bad ergonomics, unusual movement patterns, and age-related spinal changes. Ignoring pain can lead to muscle weakness and instability. Early care, including physical therapy, helps relieve pain and prevent future problems.

Chronic low back pain affects as many as one-third of adults ages 65 and older and can be difficult to treat. A 2025 study found that adding 12 weeks of acupuncture to usual care resulted in greater pain relief and better function that lasted as long as a year after the treatments.

An x-ray, CT scan, or MRI is usually not needed for addressing low back pain unless people have other symptoms or risk factors for a serious condition. Short-term rest, heat or cold, and over-the-counter medication can ease discomfort until the back pain goes away.

Pelvic floor dysfunction in women is commonly linked to lower back pain. The odds of developing pelvic floor–related back pain increase for women as they get older due to factors such as diminished estrogen and childbirth-related pelvic floor damage. Lower back pain and pelvic floor dysfunction may also have overlapping signs, including urinary leakage or urgency, a feeling of heaviness in the pelvis or vaginal bulging, constipation or bowel issues, painful sex or urination, and pain with prolonged sitting or standing.

Chronic back pain (pain that lasts more than 12 weeks) can be more challenging to diagnose and treat compared to short-term pain from an injury. The first-line approach is conservative treatment, such as over-the-counter pain medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. However, sometimes these are not enough, and advanced methods are needed. Depending on the source of chronic back pain, these can include stronger prescription medication, corticosteroid injections, and surgery.

A 2025 study of more than 11,000 people (average age 55), followed for about four years, those who walked more than 100 minutes a day had a 23% lower risk of chronic low back pain, compared with people who walked less than 78 minutes per day.

Men can overcome the barrier of back pain in the bedroom by trying different sexual positions and adjusting their intensity and frequency.