Back Pain Needs Time

Time often best antidote for back pain.
The AP (6/11) reports, "By one recent estimate, Americans are spending a staggering $86 billion a year in care for aching backs," even though "that research found little evidence that the population got better as the bill soared over the past decade." The AP adds, "The reality is that time often is the best antidote. Most people will experience back pain at some point, but up to 90% will heal on their own within weeks." Because of that, "doctors aren't even supposed to do an X-ray or MRI unless the pain lingers for a month to six weeks." The article explains that a formal exercise program designed to strengthen muscles of the core and back is helpful for many back-pain patients in restoring functionality and lessening pain.