Back Pain Facts & Statistics: The Bare Bones on Back Pain

Sometimes, when it comes to our health, the numbers can be a wake-up call. We’ve compiled some back pain facts and statistics that might open your eyes to the importance of taking care of your back.  Getting informed on the condition could be the first step toward preventing it. Here’s a quick look at back pain and why we should be concerned:

• Most instances of back pain result from “mechanical” aggravators, such as repetitive stress tasks, rather than serious medical conditions, such as arthritis.
• Back pain can range from mild, affecting your flexibility, to excruciating, prohibiting you from functioning on even a remotely normal level.
• Back pain can last for as little as a few days, but can also turn into chronic pain, in which symptoms are present for months on end.

Back Pain in America:

How does back pain affect you? These facts and figures may make you think twice if you think you’re not at risk for developing back pain:

• Each year, half of Americans who work report experiencing symptoms of back pain.
• In the past five years, a third of all Americans over 18 have had back pain severe enough to warrant a visit to a healthcare professional.
• The cost of treating back pain in America is estimated at up to $50 billion each year.
• Back pain is the second most common condition that brings people to the doctor and is one of the most frequently reported reasons for missing work.
• Professionals estimate that up to 80 percent of the population will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives.

Chiropractic Care & Back Pain:

The good news about back pain is that chiropractors specialize in the treatment of a number of back-related problems and can help you treat ailments or prevent them from developing. Here’s a quick look at how the chiropractic community is helping those who suffer:

• Chiropractic is the most popular of alternative medical treatments. In the United States, the number of people seeking chiropractic treatment has tripled in the past 20 years.
• Multiple studies have reported that patients report equal or better satisfaction with chiropractic care than with medical treatment alone.
• Chiropractic treatments are affordable and are covered under many insurance policies. They work well on their own and as a supplement to standard medical care.

Don’t close your eyes to the numbers – back pain is a significant health issue in today’s society. But with good health practices and a little help from your chiropractor, you don’t have to become a statistic.