Article: If you have mild back pain, you can probably manage it at home on your own. It most cases, back pain will clear up by itself within a few weeks. However, if your back pain doesn't start to feel better after a week even with gentle exercise and over-the-counter medications, it's time to see your doctor.  Your doctor can do a physical exam and determine what's causing your pain. This can help them determine the best way to treat your symptoms. Let your doctor know when the pain started and if you are experiencing any other symptoms. Depending on what's causing your pain, your doctor may recommend more aggressive treatments, such as surgery or steroid injections. While most back pain isn't cause for alarm, it can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition. Call your doctor right away if you have severe or constant back pain, especially while you're lying down. You should also contact them if you experience other symptoms, such as pain, weakness, or tingling in your legs, unexplained weight loss, or redness and swelling in your back. Seek emergency medical care if you have back pain with a fever or with a sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, or if your back pain started after an accident (such as a fall or a car crash). Some herbal supplements can interact poorly with other medications, or they might be unsafe for you if you have certain medical conditions. Before trying any supplements to manage your back pain, ask your doctor about which ones you can use safely.  Give your doctor a full list of any other medications or supplements you are currently using. Let them know if you have any other health conditions that might affect which supplements you can use, such as bleeding disorders or kidney or liver disease. Depending on what's causing your back pain, you may need to avoid certain types of exercise. Work with your doctor or physical therapist to find out which exercises will help and which might make your pain worse.  Stop doing any exercise that causes back pain or makes your pain worse. This pain might mean that you're performing the exercise incorrectly or that your core muscles aren't strong enough yet to support the movement. If your back pain is caused by a condition like osteoarthritis, talk to your doctor or physical therapist about doing low-impact exercises to improve strength and flexibility without putting too much stress on your joints.

What is a summary?
See your doctor if you have persistent back pain. Get medical attention if you have back pain with severe symptoms. Talk to your doctor before trying herbal supplements. Discuss which exercises you can do safely.