Back Pain: What Works, What Doesn’t

Monday, 04 April 2011 | by Pat's Picks

Eighty percent of Americans suffer from back pain at some point in their lives.  The spectrum of pain, symptoms and causes is so wide that most doctors try to simply minimize pain while the body heals itself, which most do after about six weeks. Part of the problem is that back pain is one of the toughest things to diagnose. As one doctor puts it: “If you went to 15 different doctors about your back pain, you’d get 18 different recommendations for treatment.”

So should you go to the doctor or just stick it out? The LA Times says “if the idea crosses your mind that maybe you should see a doctor, then you probably should.” The Times has a helpful breakdown on the most common ways to treat back pain.

Here are some “red flags”—back pain symptoms that should immediately prompt a doctor’s visit.