Topic

Back Pain

This collection features the best content from AFP, as identified by the AFP editors, on back pain and related issues, including chronic and acute low back pain, lumbar spinal stenosis, sciatica, and vertebral compression fractures. New research may affect the interpretation and application of this material. Clinical judgment is advised. Note that AFP content published within the past two years is accessible to AAFP members and paid subscribers only.

Other AFP Content

Overview

Nov 15, 2025	—	Acute Low Back Pain: Diagnosis and Management CME DDx
Apr 15, 2024	—	Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Diagnosis and Management CME DDx
Mar 15, 2024	—	Chronic Low Back Pain in Adults: Evaluation and Management CME Alg DDx
Apr 15, 2023	—	Management of Low Back Pain: Guidelines From the VA/DoD [Practice Guidelines]
Mar 15, 2022	—	Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: Diagnosis and Treatment DDx PtEd
Jul 01, 2020	—	Back Pain in Children and Adolescents Alg DDx
Oct 01, 2018	—	Mechanical Low Back Pain DDx PtEd
Feb 15, 2012	—	Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain DDx PtEd

Screening and Diagnosis

Nov 15, 2009

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Diagnosing Lumbar Spinal Stenosis [Point-of-Care Guides] POC

Treatment

Dec 15, 2023	—	Spinal Cord Stimulation for Low Back Pain [Cochrane for Clinicians] CME
Jul 15, 2023	—	Trigger Point Injection for Low Back Pain [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
Jun 15, 2023	—	Benefits and Harms of Systemic Corticosteroids for Radicular and Nonradicular Low Back Pain [Cochrane for Clinicians]
Mar 15, 2023	—	Corticosteroids for Low Back Pain [Medicine by the Numbers]
Mar 15, 2023	—	Dry Needling for Low Back Pain [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
Oct 15, 2022	—	Effectiveness of Exercise Therapy in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain [Cochrane for Clinicians]
Jul 15, 2022	—	Effectiveness of Epidural Steroid Injections for Low Back Pain [FPIN's Help Desk Answers]
Jun 15, 2022	—	Overuse of Interventional Procedures for Low Back Pain [Lown Right Care]
Apr 01, 2021	—	Epidural Corticosteroid Injections for Lumbosacral Radicular Pain [Cochrane for Clinicians]
Sep 01, 2019	—	Gabapentin for Treatment of Radicular Low Back Pain [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
Jul 15, 2018	—	Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
Sep 15, 2017	—	Low Back Pain: American College of Physicians Practice Guideline on Noninvasive Treatments [Practice Guidelines]
Sep 01, 2017	—	Noninvasive Treatments for Low Back Pain [Implementing AHRQ Effective Health Care Reviews] Tool
Apr 01, 2016	—	Pilates for the Treatment of Low Back Pain [Cochrane for Clinicians]
Feb 01, 2016	—	Cyclobenzaprine in the Treatment of Low Back Pain [Medicine by the Numbers]
May 01, 2015	—	Treatments for Sciatica [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
Apr 15, 2012	—	Is Spinal Manipulation an Effective Treatment for Low Back Pain?Yes: Evidence Shows Benefit in Most Patients [Editorials: Controversies in Family Medicine]
Apr 15, 2012	—	Is Spinal Manipulation an Effective Treatment for Low Back Pain?Yes: Spinal Manipulation Is a Useful Adjunct Therapy [Editorials: Controversies in Family Medicine]
Apr 15, 2012	—	Is Spinal Manipulation an Effective Treatment for Low Back Pain? No: Evidence Shows No Clinically Significant Benefit Over Watchful Waiting [Editorials: Controversies in Family Medicine]
Dec 01, 2011	—	Prolotherapy for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain [Editorials]
Feb 15, 2009	—	Predicting Benefit of Spinal Manipulation for Low Back Pain [Point-of-Care Guides] POC
Aug 01, 2008	—	Choosing a Skeletal Muscle Relaxant

Complications and Special Situations

Dec 01, 2019	—	Nonspecific Low Back Pain and Return to Work Alg PtEd
Jul 01, 2016	—	Diagnosis and Management of Vertebral Compression Fractures
Jan 15, 2015	—	Disability Evaluations: More Than Completing a Form Alg

Patient Education, Self-Care

Mar 15, 2022	—	Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction and Back Pain [Information from Your Family Doctor]
Oct 01, 2018	—	Low Back Pain [Information from Your Family Doctor] PtEd

Topic

Back Pain

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