What can be done for chronic back pain?

Depends: It depends in part on the length and severity of the pain as well as the underlying cause. Many simple cases are treated with rest and medications, more involved cases are often treatd with physical therapy or chiropractic. Imaging the spine to aid in the diagnosis is oftened used for potentially more aggressive options. Thank you.

Conservative care: Generally you will start with conservative treatment such as physical therapy (including strengthening and stretching) and anti-inflammatory medications. Regular exercise, weight loss, improved diet, and smoking cessation are also recommended. Be sure to see a physician first to evaluate whether there is any significant underlying pathology.