A review of studies on use of narcotics for chronic back pain found that they are commonly prescribed and may help for short-term pain relief but that substance abuse disorders are common, occurring in up to 24 percent of cases. But many of the studies are of poor quality and none evaluated relief of pain lasting 16 weeks or longer.
Most cases of acute musculoskeletal back pain respond in a few days or weeks to limited rest, combined with appropriate exercise and education on correct movement patterns to avoid further injury. However, many cases resolve on their own without any treatment during a similar time period.
Although acute back pain was previously treated with complete, prolonged bed rest, this is no longer recommended because it leads to muscular deconditioning and loss of bone calcium, which can make the situation worse. Other complications of bed rest may include depression and blood clots in the legs. In 1996, a Finnish study showed that an exercise program to improve back mobility, coupled with resumption of normal activities and avoidance of rest during the day, allowed better back range of motion by the seventh day than did a program of strict bed rest.