Few things are quite as debilitating as back pain, nor are there many things as difficult to diagnose and treat. Back pain is an amorphous creature, stemming from so many things that it is impossible to list all of them. About half of all working Americans complain of back pain each year, and it is one of the most common reasons for missed time at work. There are many options for treating back pain, but it is critical to treat the source as well as the result. Most back pain will go away on its own after a couple of days, if not, here is a primer on the subject.

Diagnosis
The back is a complex system of bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints. For the back to feel good each part needs to work properly. Over time it is common to develop some arthritis in back joints, especially in the lower back, but for many people this is not a source of pain. Strains and sprains are common and usually need nothing more than rest, ice and some anti-inflammatory medication. Other problems can be much more complex in origin.

If you present to your doctor with back pain he or she will want to perform some tests to see what possible causes led to your discomfort. Unless there was a specific incident you can cite these tests can include range of motion exams, an MRI, x-rays and CT scans. If your back pain is accompanied by a fever then blood and urine samples will be taken to determine if you have an infection causing the back pain. Kidney infections often cause mid and low back pain. An EMG may be ordered to see if you have suffered any nerve damage. Once all your results are in, a plan of action can be made.

Treatment
Different causes of back pain are treated differently. General pain without a visible cause is likely to be a result of a strain or sprain. If deemed appropriate, physical therapy may be added to simple things like icing and anti-inflammatory medicines. Chronic back pain, lasting over 3 months, which may be related to arthritis, is often treated with steroid injection, physical therapy and a gentle exercise program. Disc and spinal injuries are much more serious in nature, since they can cause nerve damage and are treated differently.

Most disc injuries heal on their own. Contrary to the terminology, your discs can't 'slip' anywhere, what happens is that the outer layer of the disc bulges or breaks open allowing some of the inner matter to exit, placing pressure on the spinal nerves. As long as the pain is manageable with oral medications and physical therapy, time is all you need. Discs do repair over time, and the material that has oozed out will eventually be reabsorbed by your body. If the pain doesn't end or you have weakness associated with the herniation, then steroid injections and even surgery may be called for. Surgery is considered a last resort. Other options for treating back pain include chiropractic care, acupuncture, electrical stimulation and decompression therapy. You and your doctor will come up with a plan that is designed to offer you relief and lets you get on with your life, hopefully pain free.