Most back pain will improve within a few weeks with conservative medical care including options like relative rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and exercises. If you suffer from back pain for more than six weeks despite appropriate medical care, your healthcare provider may order diagnostic tests like x-ray, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), or CT (computed tomography) scans to evaluate the structure of the spine. A problem (such as inflammation, irritation, swelling, or arthritis) in the facet joints may contribute to low back pain and may be visualized on diagnostic imaging. However, normal appearing joints on diagnostic imaging do not completely rule out facet joints as source of pain.
