What is the best treatment for back pain relief?

While the best treatments depend on the cause, most new-onset back pain improves on its own regardless of treatment.
When a serious or dangerous cause is suspected (such as when back pain is unrelenting and debilitating, follows major trauma or is accompanied by fever or weight loss), it’s important to seek medical attention promptly.
Reasonable initial treatments of non-urgent, recent-onset back pain include a number of non-medication approaches, including:
•    heat
•    massage
•    acupuncture
•    spinal manipulation
•    gentle exercise including stretching
•    physical therapy may be appropriate for those who need or prefer a supervised exercise program
•    remaining physically active (as much as symptoms allow)
If symptoms don’t improve, a short course of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen may help. A muscle relaxant can be considered if other treatments aren’t effective.
When back pain persists despite treatment and the passage of time, further evaluation is warranted to rule out serious causes of symptoms and to determine a specific cause that might warrant a particular treatment.