Medication.

Tablets may not be a solution in the long term but analgesics (such as paracetamol) and anti-inflammatories (such as ibuprofen or voltarol) can be very useful in helping to bring acute symptoms of back pain under control. The two in combination can be particularly useful, but ensure that you keep to recommended doses. Anti-inflammatories can cause certain adverse effects and may not be tolerated by some people. They should always be taken with food. Muscle relaxants can be helpful too in acute episodes of back pain but generally should not be continued for more than a few days.

Acupuncture.

A good proportion of people find acupuncture helpful in acute back pain and some physiotherapists will include acupuncture among the treatments they offer.

Osteopathy and chiropractic treatment. These are systems of complementary medicine involving the treatment of medical disorders through the manipulation and massage of joints and muscles. Many patients find benefit from these techniques when other have failed

Balancing rest and mobilisation.

Long periods of bed rest tend to be counter-productive, adding to muscle deconditioning and vulnerability as well as leading to back stiffness. When hit by an acute episode try and get moving as soon as you can and certainly within a couple of days.

If back pain remains a significant and intrusive problem despite allowing a reasonable period for things to settle and attending to these issues as far as you can, then perhaps it is time to explore the possibility of surgical treatment