PlushCare / Online Doctor / Primary Care / Back Pain
In order to treat your back pain, consult with one of our board-certified doctors online today to discuss a treatment plan to help relieve your back pain. If needed, get a new prescription to treat back pain or refill an existing prescription today.
Medication services available 24/7 for adults and kids (3+)
Top quality, board-certified doctors
No insurance needed
Same-day prescriptions available*
*Prescriptions provided at doctor’s discretion.
Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less. Otherwise, new patient visits are $129 and follow-ups are only $69 for members.
Step 1
Book a same day appointment from anywhere.
Step 2
Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.
Step 3
We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.
Step 1
Book a same day appointment from anywhere.
Step 2
Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.
Step 3
We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.
How pricing works
To request back pain treatment and get a new prescription or refill on your prescription, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits
$14.99/month
First month free
Copay
For all visits
Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!
$14.99/month
First month free
$129
Repeats only $69
Initial visits are $129 and follow-ups are only $69 for active members.
If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund.
Back pain is categorized as discomfort in the back. Back pain is often described as painful muscle spasms and can last any period of time. Doctors describe back pain that lasts less than 4 weeks as acute back pain, and back pain that lasts more than 12 weeks is called chronic back pain. Chronic low back pain is often felt with tight muscles and is characterized as a painful area in the lower back region of your body. Muscles around the vertebrae are the affected area.
Many different factors can cause back pain, and the pain can feel different for different people. People often refer to "throwing out" their backs when they strain one or more muscles in their back. Straining your back muscles can be extremely painful. Most back pain is caused by what doctors call nonspecific back pain, and is rarely caused by a disease, specific abnormality, serious spinal injury, or neurological disorders. Nonspecific back pain occurs in more than 85% of people who report back pain. Doctors have been able to identify known causes that make back pain worse.
Back pain can be caused by muscle sprains resulting from heavy lifting, sudden movements, shoveling, or bending over. Sudden movements can trigger a sudden onset of pain. This type of pain is usually related to a strain in one or more muscles in the lower back and can be severe.
The bones in your back are called vertebrae and they are small bones stacked on top of another. Your back is made up of vertebrae, muscles, nerves, ligaments, and other soft tissues. Pain signals are felt due to the entanglement of nerve endings around your spinal cord and vertebrae. The vertebrae are numbered from top to bottom. From top to bottom, the regions of the back are listed as:
Cervical (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7)
Thoracic (T1 through T12)
Lumbar (L1, L2, L3, L4, L5)
Sacral (S1, S2)
The most common areas for back pain are L4, L5, and S1.
The spinal cord passes through the openings of the back of the vertebrae and small nerves called nerve roots. Between each vertebra is a disc composed of outer tissue with a gel-like substance inside the disc. These discs protect the bones, acting like cushions, while decreasing nerve compression.
Aging also naturally increases back pain and is a risk factor for low back pain. Arthritis is a general term that means inflammation of the joints. There are many types of arthritis, but osteoarthritis is the once most commonly thought of when people say they have arthritis. Arthritis can affect the joints including the hands, back, knees, and hips. Arthritis often comes with aging. As you age, you are more at risk for arthritis. The best treatment for back pain caused by arthritis is to apply heat and avoid bed rest. Having strong muscles will take the strain off of your joints.
Osteoporosis is a bone disease that makes your bones weak. Compression fractures caused by osteoporosis happen because the bones are weak and thin. Broken bones can easily occur when you have osteoporosis which is why it is important to make your home “fall safe.” It sounds simple, but many fractures can be prevented if you reduce your chance of falling down.
Structural problems such as degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, ruptured discs, scoliosis, narrowing of the spinal column, vertebrae fractures, and spondylolisthesis cause back pain.
Degenerative disc disease is caused by aging and occurs when the discs between the vertebrae of the spine break down.
Herniated or ruptured discs are irritated by the nerves surrounding the spinal column due to nerve compression. Imaging tests such as an MRI or CT scan can reveal herniated disks.
Scoliosis is the congenital changes to the spine such as an overtly curved spinal column.
Spinal stenosis is caused by the narrowing of the spinal column, which puts pressure on the spinal cord and causes nerve compression.
Spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebra slips out of place.
Specific medication and treatment will be advised by a doctor after a medical evaluation. A doctor can prescribe medications for back pain after a physical exam and medical consultation. Both prescription medication and over the counter medications are used to treat back pain.
NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs are used to ease back pain when opioids are not indicated.
Muscle relaxants ease back pain by reducing muscle spasms that occur alongside vertebrae.
Remaining active helps keep your weight down, builds strong muscles, and increases blood flow. Both stretching and exercise help to reduce stiffness and prevent back injuries. Although lifting heavy does not always cause back pain, poor lifting technique causes back pain. Rounding of the back while lifting a heavy object puts too much strain on your back muscles. The use of core muscles while lifting heaving is advised as activated core muscles help to take the strain off of your back muscles.
Poor posture can cause back pain. Slouching forward puts extra pressure on your upper and lower back. Sit upright with your legs straight to help with pain back caused by poor posture.
Back pain can feel scary, but when should you see a doctor for your back pain? Seek emergency medical treatment if you have the following symptoms:
Back pain treatment aims to relieve pain. Many treatments are available to reduce pain. Having nonspecific back pain can be frustrating as there is not an identifiable cause to point to. Luckily, back pain has been shown to resolve on its own in a few weeks. Applying heat and getting back to being active can help speed up your recovery. You should see a doctor if your back pain does not improve after a few weeks.
Back pain relief options include medications, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, alternative therapies, and physical therapy.
Medications such as cortisone injections, strong pain relievers, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be used to treat back pain. If pain persists, other medications may be prescribed as well.
Your doctor may provide a referral to alternative treatments such as physical therapy or massage therapy. A trained physical therapist can relieve discomfort and strengthen muscles and reduce muscle tension, while a massage therapist can minimize muscle spasms.
Muscle strain is the most common cause of back pain.
Applying an ice pack, heat pack, exercising, stretching, or taking medications are the best treatments for lower back pain.
Maintaining a healthy weight, good posture, stretching, and exercise are the best treatment for chronic back pain.
If there is a known cause, treat that cause; otherwise, over-the-counter medications and prescription medications can treat back pain.
Back pain can last less than 4 weeks and up to 12 weeks.
If you have numbness, tingling, pain after an accident, constant pain, or chronic pain, seek medical help.
