Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most frequent medical problems; 80–90% of adults experience back pain at some time in their lives. The low back is most commonly affected. Back pain is also one of the most common reasons why people consult their doctor or are absent from work. Therefore the economic impact of lost productivity due to back pain is substantial, as is the cost of rehabilitation and pensions for back pain.

A number of underlying diseases can give rise to back pain including problems with muscles, bones, intervertebral discs, and nerves, but often no specific cause for the pain can be identified. One differentiates acute back pain (usually lasting for a few days to a few weeks) from chronic back pain (lasting for 3 months or more) by the duration of the problem. Of back pain with an acute onset, about 90% is reversible within a few days to a couple of months. The remainder becomes chronic. The following have been described as risk factors for progression to a chronic condition:...