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Watchful waiting for back pain
By Mayo Clinic staffBack pain is among the most common of medical complaints. But just because you have back pain doesn't necessarily mean you need medical attention. And if you do need medical attention, it doesn't necessarily mean that you need an invasive treatment to make you feel better.
Watchful waiting as an approach to dealing with low back pain doesn't mean that if you have back pain you simply do nothing and see what happens. What it may mean, though, is that if you have acute back pain, you give the pain a chance to improve with conservative, self-care approaches. And even if you have chronic back pain, you see what active, self-care steps you can take on your own before assuming that you need a more aggressive, invasive approach. Most people are able to deal with low-level, nagging or even annoying back pain using self-care, adjustments and other coping skills. You may not need any higher level of treatment unless your pain interferes with your work, your leisure or your sleep.
Watchful waiting may not be the best option if you have "red flag" indications associated with your chronic low back pain. Your doctor can explain what these may be, but they may include: advanced age, disability, history of cancer, trauma, prolonged use of corticosteroids and osteoporosis, and other factors.
Things to consider about back pain treatment Emerging therapies for back pain
