If you take a trip to the doctor or have to miss work, chances are it’s because of back pain, a leading cause of disability throughout the world. In fact, most people will experience back pain at least once in their life. But it doesn’t have to become chronic. You can take measures to prevent or alleviate pain in most incidences. In cases where prevention fails, simple home treatment and proper body mechanics can usually heal your back within a matter of weeks. Surgery is rarely the answer to back pain.