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Low back pain can affect the back anywhere below the ribs and above the legs. The lower back is the connection between the upper and lower body, and supports most of the body weight. Because of these functions, it is easily injured when you lift, reach, or money. Nearly everyone has low back pain at one time or another. The good news is that lower back pain will disappear in a few weeks with some basic self-care. But if the pain is severe or lasts more than a couple of weeks, consult your doctor.

Only a few people with low need for back surgery pain. Surgery may help if you have a herniated disc or back pain along with symptoms of nerve damage, such as numbness in the legs. Even in these cases, most people get better without surgery. Having surgery does not guarantee that all your pain will disappear. Before having surgery, is a good idea to get a second opinion.

There are some ways that can relieve low back pain through yoga. Yoga is one of the nondrugs, non-surgical therapy has been shown to benefit from back pain. In 2005 a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that a yoga program was more effective in the treatment of low back pain than other exercise regimen or educated about proper aftercare. In October 2007, the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society published guidelines recommending therapies including massage, Viniyoga (a smooth, yoga therapy), acupuncture and spinal manipulation for persistent back pain.

According to Timothy McCall, MD, the medical editor of Yoga Journal, yoga can enable patients to strengthen weak muscles, increase flexibility, improve oxygenation to body tissue and shift the balance of the autonomic nervous system from the sympathetic "fight or flight" response to the parasympathetic "rest and digest" state. All of those changes can help support the musculoskeletal system and bring pain relief, but beyond those physical improvements, Dr. McCall believes that the greatest benefit yoga can provide to patients is in their mind.

"In yoga there is a difference between pain and suffering. Pain is often caused by physical things, but the mind fuels the fires of suffering by thinking about it and coming to negative conclusions, which activates your stress response system," says Dr. McCall. "When you do meditation or breathing practices, you start to see the role that the mind plays. Advanced mediators can modulate their pain. They know the pain is there, but they don't react to it the same way."

Up to 20% of Americans suffer an attack a month of back pain every year. That's a lot of wailing on the couch and lost in the fun or even work. It is important to come to understand some simple ways to relieve pain.