Michael Jackson was taken to an emergency room on Sunday for treatment of a back problem that has plagued him throughout his molestation trial, his spokeswoman said.

Cameras caught Jackson, accompanied by a bodyguard, arriving at the Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital about 8 kilometres from his Neverland ranch at about 2:30 pm, spokeswoman Raymone Bain said.

"Mr Jackson's back has spurred up on him again," Bain said. "It is pretty serious. It was serious enough for him to come over here."

Although Jackson was not seen leaving the hospital, it was believed he departed shortly after 8 pm in a sport utility vehicle surrounded by a flurry of activity. His aides had erected white scaffolding outside the emergency room entrance to block the view of photographers gathered outside.

As flashes popped and dozens of fans screamed, "We love you," the SUV and another vehicle drove slowly through a street packed with reporters and fans.

Several chased after the vehicles and one photographer was led away by police.

Olivia Kennedy, switchboard operator at the hospital, said the staff had been asked not to release any information about Jackson.

Bain said stress contributed to the entertainer's back problem.

"He is under a tremendous amount of stress right now," she said at an impromptu news conference outside the hospital. "Other than his back, he is doing fine."

Source: China Daily