While acute back pain is usually sudden and tends to ease relatively quickly (within days or weeks), chronic pain is a much more troublesome companion, and getting rid of it requires significantly more dedication.

A large portion of back pains that become chronic initially start as acute, though not always. Sometimes the pain creeps up unnoticed, occurring repeatedly and more frequently, until it may become persistent. . .

Lower back pain usually improves within a few days to 2–3 weeks, but sometimes it takes longer. Lower back pain may recur, but that doesn't mean there's a bigger reason to worry. Sometimes even lower back pain with a good prognosis can persist. Persistent, or chronic, lower back pain is defined as pain that has lasted for more than 12 weeks. Why our brain and pain system decide to keep the pain, even when there is no damage—we, unfortunately, do not know. The prolonged duration of lower back pain may be related to our own thinking or behavior, which hinders recovery. Factors that contribute to the persistence of lower back pain and the development of disability include the severity of pain, accompanying leg pain, being overweight, or smoking. Recovery is hindered by depression, fear of diseases, high fear of pain, physically demanding work, job dissatisfaction, or seeking social benefits. In some cases, repetitive movements and forced postures can maintain lower back pain.
Factors that promote the persistence of lower back pain and the development of disability include the severity of the pain, accompanying pain radiating into the leg, being overweight, or smoking. Recovery can be hindered by depression, fear of diseases, a high level of fear of pain, physically demanding work, job dissatisfaction, or seeking social benefits. In some cases, repetitive movements and forced postures can maintain lower back pain.

Back pain that has lasted for a long time can become so commonplace that we start to consider it normal. However, this mindset tends to maintain the pain and prevents us from seeking a way out of it. It’s true—searching for and finding a solution can be challenging and time-consuming. But if one day your back no longer hurts, you probably won't regret any of the efforts you put into achieving it.