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Back Pain: Fast Facts


Reviewed By: Vikas Garg, M.D., MSA

  • Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical help.

  • One percent of the U.S. population is disabled because of back pain.

  • Most people experience back pain at some time.

  • Americans spend about $24 billion a year on treatments for back pain, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

  • The spine includes 33 bones called vertebrae. Sections of the vertebrae are the cervical spine (neck), thoracic spine (upper back), lumbar spine (lower back), sacrum (five fused vertebrae, part of the pelvis) and coccyx (tailbone).

  • Back injuries are more likely after age 30 because the bones, muscles and vertebral discs begin to weaken. However, back injuries and pain are not inevitable.

  • Women are more prone than men to some causes of back pain, including osteoporosis, fibromyalgia and kyphosis ("dowager's hump").

  • Many cases of back pain could be prevented by maintaining good posture and body mechanics, and by exercising and controlling weight.

  • Back pain is not always caused by a back problem ‑- it can stem from a problem in the kidneys, intestines, ovaries, prostate or other organ.

 

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