Acute low back pain
What the major U.S. guidelines recommend, with a link to verify each at the source. A quick-reference summary for clinicians, not medical advice.
ACP · 2017
Acute/subacute LBP: first-line non-pharmacologic (heat, massage, spinal manipulation); add NSAIDs or skeletal muscle relaxants if needed. Reserve opioids for refractory cases.
Verify at ACP →ACR / Choosing Wisely · 2024
Don't image low back pain within the first 6 weeks unless red flags (e.g., neuro deficit, cancer, infection, trauma) are present.
Verify at ACR / Choosing Wisely →