Unfortunately, the duration and severity of a single episode cannot be predicted based on the onset, location of pain, or even the initial severity. There are three general categories of pain—acute, chronic, and recurrent acute.

The good news is that even if the exact source of pain is not determined, usually acute pain subsides over a month or less than the back’s irritated tissue heals. In general, nearly 80% of first-time low back pain episodes resolve by six weeks. Chronic pain is generally described as pain that lasts for months and is often less correlated to tissue damage or injury and may be the result of a more long-term spine condition or other related factors such as muscle weakness, body weight, and certain life stressors. Recurrent acute pain is intermittent— it comes and goes or “flares up” from time to time.