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Staying active can help you get better faster

	Although it’s tempting to stay in bed, staying active can reduce your back pain and speed up your recovery. Turn to ConsumerReportsHealth.org to learn more about the types of activity that are best to alleviate this very common condition.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org and view the evidence behind the multidisciplinary treatment program that works best for back pain.

If you or someone you know is suffering from back pain, you're not alone. Consumer Reports Health can help with the best research about back pain, and expert evidence and advice about treatment options.

Key points about back pain

• Back pain is common, but most people get better within six weeks.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Motrin), are helpful in treating both short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) back pain.
• Staying in bed usually does more harm than good
• Staying active can help you get better faster.

Back pain is incredibly common, with between 70 percent and 85 percent of us getting it at some time in our lives. Your back pain may come on suddenly or gradually, and the pain may be severe or relatively mild. Your pain is most likely to be caused by a tense or strained muscle or ligament, or a damaged bone or disk.

Although it may be difficult for your doctor to tell exactly what is causing your back pain, there is a whole range of treatments that can help ease your pain and keep you moving. We encourage you to read our entire condition report and to consult with your doctor to learn more about back pain. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, you’ll have access to our expert research and recommendations, and you’ll be more confident and knowledgeable about which treatments are best for you.