Back and neck pain is common. Healing is promoted by staying active, returning to work, and exercising at an appropriate intensity.
A thorough anamnesis and physical examination is important for relieving anxiety about the consequences of pain and sufficient for identifying those who should be referred to a specialist.
For most patients with back pain, the interventions that can be offered in primary care are the only ones needed.
Back pain and its consequences are not isolated physical problems but are associated with other conditions such as social, psychological, and workplace-related factors.
Knowledge on how to prevent back pain has been applied and assessed to a surprisingly minor degree.
There is little scientific evidence on the effectiveness of most treatments.