Back Facts

HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BACK PAIN?

31 million Americans experience low-back pain at any given time.

Low-back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide.

Back pain is the third most common reason American adults visit a doctor, behind skin disorders and joint problems.

Back pain causes 2.6 million trips to the emergency room each year.

COSTS:

Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on back pain.

1 in 5 people who develop low back pain from injury will develop chronic back pain, lasting more than one year.

The percentage of adults with back pain decreased as family income increased.

WHO IS AT RISK?

Risk factors for back pain: Age, fitness level, pregnancy, weight gain, genetics, lifting at work, mental health, and smoking.

People age 45 and older have the highest rate of back pain.

People who are obese or who smoke are more likely to have back pain as are people who are mostly inactive

THE PAIN AND STRAIN OF WORK

Back pain accounts for more than 264 million lost work days each year. That’s two work days for every full-time worker in the country.

Low back pain will increase substantially as baby boomers age due to the disc deterioration in older people.

TREATMENT

Only 9 out of 10 people find out the root cause of their back pain.

Half of people report using pain medications to relieve symptoms

As many as 30 million Americans see a chiropractor

18 percent of people with back pain use an alternative method, such as yoga, to alleviate symptoms

Less than 10 percent of people who go to a doctor for back pain will have a condition that may require surgery

These things can keep your back healthy:

Comfortable shoes

Proper work station setup

Sleep on side with knees bent

Bend knees while lifting

Quit smoking

PREVENTION

Good posture