Get medical care right away for loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness between your legs, new leg weakness, severe pain after a bad injury, or back pain with a fever or weight loss.
Back pain, explained simply
The first few days are usually the worst. For most people it eases over a few weeks. Here's the normal path, and the simple stuff that helps.
Most back pain isn't dangerous, even when it really hurts. The hard part is the waiting. This shows you the usual path so you know what's normal.
The usual recovery path
Keep moving gently the whole way. If you are not improving by 6 weeks, see a doctor.
Ready to look now?
Browse Local Northern Nevada Back Pain OptionsWatch the short video, or just read it. A quick, honest look at what each treatment does and who it tends to help. When you're ready, find someone near you.
Resting in bed feels right. It's actually the slowest way back. The best thing for most back pain is to keep moving gently: short walks, easy stretches, your normal day. Heat and an over-the-counter pain reliever can take the edge off the first few days.
Find a physical therapist in Northern NevadaA physical therapist gives you the right exercises for your back and makes sure you're doing them right. The point isn't just to stretch. It's to build the muscles that hold your spine steady so it stops flaring up. It's one of the first things worth trying when pain hangs around.
Find a physical therapist in Northern NevadaA chiropractor works on your spine with their hands to loosen up stiff joints. A lot of people go for quick, hands-on relief and simple advice on moving better. Visits are short. Ask what they'll do before they start.
Find a chiropractor in Northern NevadaAn acupuncturist puts very thin needles in set spots on your body. Some people swear by it for back pain that just won't quit. If you're curious, ask at the first visit how many sessions it usually takes.
Find an acupuncturist in Northern NevadaA massage therapist works the tight muscles around your spine by hand. If your back feels knotted and sore, it can help those muscles let go. It works best next to movement and other care, not on its own.
Find a massage therapist in Northern NevadaThis is a shot of anti-inflammatory medicine near the irritated nerves in your back. A pain specialist might suggest it when the pain shoots down your leg. It won't fix the cause. It quiets things down enough to move and do your therapy.
Find a pain specialist in Northern NevadaIf certain small joints in your back are the pain source, this uses heat to quiet the nerves feeding them. A pain specialist may offer it after simpler steps haven't done enough. When it works, the relief can last months, not weeks.
Find a pain specialist in Northern Nevada