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February 9, 2012
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Back Pain (cont.)

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Low Back Pain Prognosis

The prognosis for people with acute back pain associated with red flags (described above) depends on the underlying cause of the pain.

  • Up to 90% of people experience an episode of back pain without other health concerns, and their symptoms will go away on their own within a month. For about half, back pain may return.


  • About 80% of people with sciatica will eventually recover, with or without surgery. The recovery period is much longer than for uncomplicated, acute back pain.


  • You can improve your chances of early recovery by staying active and avoiding more than two days of relative bed rest.

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Back Pain - Cause

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Back Pain - Treatment

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Chronic Pain/Back Pain

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Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Back Pain, Mechanical »

Mechanical low back pain is one of the most common patient complaints expressed to emergency physicians in the United States accounting for more than 6 million cases annually.

Read More on Medscape Reference »

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