Statistics:

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2006 back pain was responsible for 62% of cases of people missing work due to pain involving the upper body.

Overview:

• Back pain can be acute, subacute, or chronic.
  • Acute back pain develops suddenly and lasts up to several weeks. Acute pain is the most common type of back pain.
  • Subacute back pain is pain that lasts up to three months.
  • Chronic back pain can come on fast or slow, but it lasts longer than 3 months.
• Back pain can occur in any area of the back, but it is more common in the lower part, which supports most of the body's weight.
• Because most patients with back pain are on the mend or complete recover within 6 weeks, imaging techniques such as x-rays or scans are rarely recommended in the first month of pain -- unless a health care provider suspects a tumor, fracture, infection, cauda equina syndrome, or progressive neurologic disease.
• In about 85% of back pain cases, the origin of the pain is unknown.
• It is important for any person who has chronic low back pain to have an exercise program guided by professionals who understand the limitations and special needs of back pain and who can address individual health conditions. One study indicated that patients who planned their own exercise did worse than those in physical therapy or doctor-directed programs.