By Brian W. Nelson, MD, Sourced from Med-X Online:

At the initial visit of a patient with low back pain, the physician must set a positive tone, emphasizing that the problem is common in the human body and can be remedied. Initial treatment is 1 or 2 days of rest, a short course of analgesics, and stretches and other exercises. The 5% to 10% of patients who do not improve within 3 months (chronic-pain patients) or have a relapse frequently require an active functional rehabilitation program. Exercises are helpful only if they…..  continue reading article.