More than half of American adults seek medical treatment for back pain at some point in their lives.

Back pain is something you don't want to repeat. Recovering properly from a back injury and taking preventive measures can help you reduce your risk of going through it again.

Back pain experts say that it's best to treat your back well day to day. That approach will help prevent episodes of pain in the first place.

Effective pain treatments are available. You can also take steps yourself to ease ongoing discomfort.

It can sometimes be confusing whether to use heat or cold when treating sore muscles or an injury. Here are facts to keep in mind.