Back pain
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How common is back pain?

Back pain is very common.

  • Between 60 percent and 90 percent of us get it at some time in our lives.
     
     
     
     
     
    Source:
    Devereaux MW.
    Low back pain
    Primary Care. 2004; 31: 33-51.
     
     
     
     
     
    1
  • Between 15 to 45 percent of Americans are affected by it each year.
  • Back pain is the second most common reason for taking time off work.
     
     
     
     
     
    Source:
    Devereaux MW.
    Low back pain
    Primary Care. 2004; 31: 33-51.
     
     
     
     
     
    1
  • A quarter of all days lost from work are due to back pain.
     
     
     
     
     
    Source:
    Levin KH, Covington EC, Devereaux MW, et al.
    Neck and low back pain.
    Continuum. 2001; 7: 1-205.
     
     
     
     
     
    2
  • Back pain is most common between the ages of 35 and 55.

Sources for the information on this page:
  1. Devereaux MW.Low back painPrimary Care. 2004; 31: 33-51.
  2. Levin KH, Covington EC, Devereaux MW, et al.Neck and low back pain.Continuum. 2001; 7: 1-205.
This information was last updated on Apr 30, 2009
BMJ Group
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
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