The treatment of low back pain (LBP) has been extensively and critically reviewed in the recent literature. A successful management plan requires that the physician excludes a treatable and specific cause for the presenting symptoms and secondly to prescribe appropriate evidence-based treatment. Physicians should be aware of the risk of chronification and work disability in patients whose symptoms persist for more than 12 weeks. In acute LBP, NSAIDs, maintaining normal activity and manual therapy have all been shown to shorten the duration of pain. In chronic LBP, active multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs can help to reduce work disability. A number of treatment algorithms have been devised which can help physicians to approach this common problem in a structured manner.