You don't have to be a professional athlete or a weekend warrior to experience back pain. It can happen when you're washing the car, shopping for groceries, and during lots of other daily activities.

If you've experienced back pain, you're not alone: millions of Americans suffer from it. In fact, lower back pain alone causes more disabilities than any other health condition.

The good news is, nearly all back pain can be improved with proper treatment.

Here are some tips for dealing with back pain:

• Talk with your doctor or physical therapist.
• Avoid painful activities like bending, lifting and twisting.
• Don't stop moving altogether. Keep walking and performing other activities that don't make the pain worse.
• Apply ice or heat to relieve pain.
• Take over-the-counter medication if recommended by your doctor.
• Stretching can also help alleviate back pain.
• A cautious approach is usually best. Don't try to rush back and risk injuring yourself further.

Learn more about back pain.