I found this decent base line article from RealAge on Back Pain
Underlying Causes of Back Pain
Injury to a muscle or a ligament in the back is the most common reason people experience back pain. When you strain a muscle or ligament, you may feel pain immediately, or days later.
But an underlying health condition, such as arthritis, could be to blame, too. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of the disease. Ruptured or herniated disks in the spine -- which become increasingly likely with age -- can pinch nerves and cause pain, too.
Other medical problems that may lead to back pain include:
* Osteoporosis
* Fibromyalgia
* Scoliosis
* Spinal stenosis
* Degenerative disk disease
* Endometriosis
* Infections (such as osteomyelitis or meningitis)
Bad Habits That Hurt Backs
Certain everyday habits could make your back more vulnerable to pain and injury. Here are five habits you should nix in favor of a healthier, stronger back.
Smoking: This habit can increase the risk of back pain, research suggests. Smoking also increases the risk of osteoporosis. Try this proven program for quitting smoking.
Slouching: This puts strain on the structures of your back. Try these five steps to perfect posture right now.
Couch/Computer surfing: A largely sedentary existence will contribute to weak core muscles -- and set you up for back pains and strains. Try these tips to keep your back happy at the computer.
Awkward sleep: A crooked, bunched up, crammed sleep position can leave your back stiff. Relax your back with this sleeping position.
Stress: High stress levels increase muscle tension, which can magnify back pain. Try these seven stress-taming foods.
How to Help Your Back Feel Better
One of the most important things you can do to help yourself recover from back pain is to stay mobile. A day or two of bed rest is fine if you're really hurting, but after that, muscles begin to atrophy, which will make your back muscles weaker and make future injuries and pain more likely. So try to stay mobile, even if you just take short walks while you recover. Here are some treatments that may help you get around more comfortably:
Hot and cold therapy: Cold packs can help reduce swelling and inflammation if used the first day or two after injury. After that, the warmth of heating pads or hot water bottles can help relieve muscle tension and spasms.
Pain medications: Over-the-counter acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin can help provide short-term relief of back pain. But don't exceed the dosing instructions. And see your doctor if your situation does not improve.
Rub-on relief: Pain-relieving ointments, gels, creams, and salves are applied directly to the skin and may help reduce stiffness and muscle soreness.
The good news is that about 90% of people with acute low back pain get better within 4 to 6 weeks.
MyAchingKnees.com comment: Yep. Pretty standard response - focusing on treating pain relief rather than the cause. I find it amazing that RealAge did not mention Nutritional Supplements or Optimizers like Glucosamine or Omega 3 Fatty Acids as a possible relief not only for the symptoms of back pain but to address the root causes of degenerative disease.
