Back pain is estimated to affect between 15% and 20% of the American population at any one time. The cost to the country is more than $100 billion annually in lost productivity, medical bills and disability.
Notoriously difficult to treat, back pain is one of the main reasons for time off work. Back pain affects all ages but is most common in middle age (between about 45 and 60 years of age).
Why the spine is vulnerable to injury and disease
The spine is made up of vertebrae, small bones that are separated by discs, and is supported along its length by muscles and
ligaments. The spinal cord, carrying nerves from the brain to the rest of the body, threads through the center of each
vertebra. With so many moving parts the amount of wear and tear and the demands we put on our backs it is not a wonder that
things go wrong. When they do go wrong pain is the most common and debilitating symptom.
Going to your Doctor for back pain
You may well need to seek medical help to diagnose and treat back pain. He or she will examine you and take a detailed
history. The doctor may refer you for tests.
This becomes more urgent if you have:
Tests for back pain
Tests to investigate the cause of back pain can include X-rays, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT (computerised
tomography) scans, a myelogram (a special kind of X-ray using an injected dye), and blood tests.
Psychological and social assessment may be requested if chronic pain is resistive to treatment.