Worldwide, low back pain causes more disability, activity limitation, and work absenteeism than any other condition. An estimated 75% to 85% of adults ages 18 and older will experience at least one episode of acute low back pain in their life. Most low back pain episodes improve with initial primary care management, and without further investigations or referral to specialists. 

Most people with low back pain can benefit from lifestyle modifications (such as physical activity) and additional interventions (such as pharmacological therapies, heat, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercise). Evidence shows that 90% of low back pain is not caused by serious underlying injury or disease that requires magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scans, medication, surgical referrals, or opioid prescriptions. However, the total cost for spinal imaging, including x-ray examination, CT scanning, and MRI in Ontario was estimated to be $70.3 million in 2018/19.

This quality standard addresses care for adults aged 16 years and older who have a first episode of acute low back pain, or who have recurrent episodes of acute low back pain that last less than 12 weeks. The quality standard addresses mechanical low back pain with or without associated leg symptoms, such as radiculopathy caused by compression of a spinal nerve root (a pinched nerve) and neurogenic claudication (painful cramping or weakness in the legs with walking or standing).

Although it applies to care in all settings, this quality standard focuses on primary care and community-based care that can be provided by an interprofessional health care team. It includes the assessment of acute low back pain with or without leg symptoms, assessment of risk factors to prevent chronic low back pain, and management of acute low back pain with or without leg symptoms, as well as physical activity, education, self-management, and psychosocial support for people with acute low back pain. 

This quality standard does not address the management of chronic low back pain (lasting more than 12 weeks). Other quality standards addressing chronic pain and pain management include Chronic Pain and Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Pain.