 there are so many people with back pain and how do you know if it's just a temporary pain or if it's something that is something serious that you need to get checked out? Well the good news is most of back pain in America is transient most are self-limited and 875 to 90% will be cured in three months but if it's a long three months it's a very long three months but if it's very severe you should see a physician now certain signs take care of caution if the pain goes down the leg past the knee or any associated numbness or weakness that takes special attention and that should be seen sooner than later