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Print ArticleBack Pain Health Center
What Is Back Pain?
Back pain in the lower back or low back pain is a common concern, affecting
up to 90% of Americans at some point in their lifetime. Up to 50% will have
more than one episode. Low back pain is not a specific disease. Rather, it is a
symptom that may occur from a variety of different processes. In up to 85% of
people with low back pain, despite a thorough medical examination, no specific
cause of the pain can be identified.
- Low back pain is second only to the common cold as a cause of lost days at
work. It is also one of the most common reasons to visit a doctor's office or a
hospital's emergency department.
- For 90% of people, even those with nerve root irritation, their symptoms
will improve within 2 months, no matter what treatment is used-even if no
treatment is given.
- Doctors usually refer to back pain as acute if it has been present for less than a month and chronic if it lasts for a longer period of time.
WebMD Medical Reference from eMedicineHealth
Extreme Exercise for Back Pain
Most people experience at least one bout of back pain in their lifetime. More than six million will suffer from lower back pain in this year alone. Patients are often told to rest until they feel better, but an aggressive strength training program is getting patients off the couch and providing long-time sufferers some release from the pain.
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