Top 10 Back Pain Statistics

  • Back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting more than 540 million people. (Source: Global Burden of Disease Study 2017)
  • About 80% of adults will experience back pain at some point in their lives. (Source: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
  • Low back pain is the most common type of back pain, accounting for 28.1% of all cases. (Source: The Lancet)
  • Back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor, behind only respiratory infections. (Source: National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey)
  • About 10% of people with acute back pain will develop chronic back pain. (Source: American Family Physician)
  • Back pain is more common in women than men. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • Smoking is a risk factor for back pain. Smokers are more likely to develop chronic back pain than non-smokers. (Source: National Institutes of Health)
  • People who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop back pain. (Source: American Journal of Epidemiology)
  • Back pain is more common in people who have sedentary jobs or lead a sedentary lifestyle. (Source: Spine)
  • Back pain costs the United States economy an estimated $100 billion per year in lost productivity and healthcare expenses. (Source: Journal of the American Medical Association)
39 Global Back Pain Statistics: How Common Is Back Pain?

Is Back Pain More Common in Older People?

  • About 80% of adults will experience back pain at some point in their lives (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke).
  • In the United States, approximately one-quarter of adults reported having low back pain lasting at least one whole day in the past three months (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
  • Among people who sought medical care for their back pain, 27% were diagnosed with a herniated disc, followed by degenerative disc disease (18%), spinal stenosis (17%), and other diagnoses (38%) (Spine).
  • In the United Kingdom, back pain was reported as the leading cause of work absence, accounting for almost 40% of all sick leave days taken in 2018/2019 (Office for National Statistics).
  • Among older adults aged 65 and above, about 50% reported having experienced lower back pain in the past month (Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy).

Why Do Most Humans Have Back Pain?

  • Poor posture: Approximately 16% of adults with back pain report that it is caused by poor posture. (Source: National Institutes of Health)
  • Physical inactivity: A lack of physical activity can lead to weak muscles and poor flexibility, which can contribute to back pain. About 25% of adults with back pain report that it is related to a sedentary lifestyle. (Source: Spine)
  • Obesity: Being overweight or obese puts extra stress on the spine and can increase the risk of developing back pain. About 20% of adults with back pain report that it is related to their weight. (Source: American Journal of Epidemiology)
  • Aging: As we age, our spines undergo natural wear and tear, which can lead to degenerative changes and an increased risk of developing back pain. About 30% of older adults aged 65 and above report experiencing lower back pain in the past month. (Source: Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy)
  • Stress: Emotional stress can cause muscle tension, which can contribute to back pain. Approximately 15% of adults with back pain report that it is related to stress or anxiety. (Source: National Institutes of Health)

How Many People Recover from Back Pain?

  • About 90% of people with acute back pain recover within six weeks without any specific treatment. (Source: American Family Physician)
  • Among people who receive treatment for their back pain, approximately 50% experience significant improvement within two weeks, and 90% experience improvement within three months. (Source: Cleveland Clinic)
  • For people with chronic back pain, the recovery rate is lower. Only about 50% of people with chronic back pain report significant improvement after receiving treatment. (Source: National Institutes of Health)
  • Back pain is more likely to recur in people who have experienced it before. Approximately 60% of people who have had one episode of back pain will experience a recurrence within one year. (Source: Spine)
19 Back Injury Statistics: How Many Back Injuries Occur Each Year?

Back Pain Demographics: Who Suffers The Most?

Back Pain Statistics by Age

  • Among adults aged 18-44, about 25% reported experiencing lower back pain in the past three months. (Source: National Health Interview Survey)
  • For adults aged 45-64, this percentage increases to 32%. (Source: National Health Interview Survey)
  • Among those aged 65 and above, approximately 40% reported experiencing lower back pain in the past month. (Source: Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy)
  • About 50% of older adults aged 80 and above report having chronic back pain. (Source: Pain Medicine)

Back Pain Statistics by Gender

  • Back pain is more common in women than men, with 84% of women experiencing back pain at some point in their life compared to 73% of men. (Source: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

Back Pain Statistics by Ethnicity

  • Non-Hispanic white adults have higher rates of back pain compared to other racial/ethnic groups in the United States. (Source: National Health Interview Survey)
  • African Americans have a lower prevalence of back pain compared to non-Hispanic whites. (Source: Spine)
  • Hispanic/Latino adults have a lower prevalence of chronic low back pain compared to non-Hispanic whites. (Source: Journal of Pain)
  • Asian Americans report the lowest rate of chronic low back pain when compared to other racial/ethnic groups. (Source: Journal of Pain)

What Percent of the Population Has Low Back Pain?

  • Among adults aged 18-44, about 25% reported experiencing lower back pain in the past three months. (Source: National Health Interview Survey)
  • For adults aged 45-64, this percentage increases to 32%. (Source: National Health Interview Survey)
  • Among those aged 65 and above, approximately 40% reported experiencing lower back pain in the past month. (Source: Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy)
39 Global Back Pain Statistics: How Common Is Back Pain?

Where is Back Pain Most Common?

  • Midwest: 29.5%
  • Northeast: 30.9%
  • South: 35.2%
  • West: 31.8%
  • Alaska: 0.2%
  • Hawaii: 0.1%
  • Puerto Rico: 0.4%
  • U.S. Virgin Islands: 0.0%
  • American Samoa: 0.0%
  • Guam: 0.1%

Is Back Pain Becoming More Common?

  • In 1990, the global prevalence of low back pain was estimated to be around 9.4%. In 2017, this figure had increased to 10.2%. (Source: Global Burden of Disease Study 2017)
  • Between 1992 and 2006, the prevalence of chronic low back pain in the United States increased from 3.9% to 10.2%. (Source: The Journal of Pain)
  • According to a survey conducted by the American Physical Therapy Association, more than two-thirds of physical therapists believe that they are seeing an increase in patients with back pain. (Source: American Physical Therapy Association)
  • A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that between 1997 and 2010, there was a significant increase in the number of adults seeking medical care for back and neck problems. (Source: JAMA Internal Medicine)

Chronic Back Pain Statistics

  • About 20% of people with acute low back pain will develop chronic low back pain. (Source: American Family Physician)
  • Chronic back pain affects approximately 10% of the population. (Source: National Institutes of Health)
  • Among adults aged 45-64, about 14% report having chronic low back pain. (Source: National Health Interview Survey)
  • Among those aged 65 and above, approximately 25% report having chronic low back pain. (Source: Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy)
  • Chronic low back pain is more common in women than men. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • In the United States, chronic low back pain accounts for about 30% of all disability-adjusted life years lost due to musculoskeletal disorders. (Source: The Lancet)

Which Country Has The Least Back Pain?

  • Norway: 19%
  • Italy: 22%
  • Denmark: 23%
  • Costa Rica: 24%
  • Switzerland: 25%
  • Greece: 26%
  • Japan: 26%
  • Spain: 27%
  • Netherlands: 28%
  • France: 31%

Percent Of Adults With Back Pain During The Last 3 Months

Age Group Male Female
18-44 years 21.4 26.1
45-54 years 31.4 33.6
55-64 years 34.9 35.1
65-74 years 32.2 34.3
75 years and over 29.7 37.3
  • In the United States, approximately one-quarter of adults reported having low back pain lasting at least one whole day in the past three months. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • Among adults aged 18-44, about 25% reported experiencing lower back pain in the past three months. (Source: National Health Interview Survey)
  • For adults aged 45-64, this percentage increases to 32%. (Source: National Health Interview Survey)
  • Among those aged 65 and above, approximately 40% reported experiencing lower back pain in the past month. (Source: Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy)

Is Low Back Pain Common During Pregnancy?

  • About 50% to 70% of pregnant women experience low back pain. (Source: American Pregnancy Association)
  • The prevalence of low back pain during pregnancy increases with gestational age, with a peak incidence in the third trimester. (Source: Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology)
  • Pregnant women who are overweight or obese are more likely to experience low back pain. (Source: International Journal of Women's Health)
  • Women who have had previous episodes of low back pain or who engage in physically demanding work are also at increased risk for low back pain during pregnancy. (Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews)

Back Pain At Work Statistics

  • Back pain is a common reason for missed work days, accounting for 264 million lost workdays per year in the United States alone. (Source: American Chiropractic Association)
  • About 50% of working Americans report having back pain symptoms each year. (Source: American Chiropractic Association)
19 Back Injury Statistics: How Many Back Injuries Occur Each Year?

Back Pain Injuries At Work Place Statistics

  • About 20% of all workplace injuries involve back pain. (Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
  • Overexertion and bodily reaction are the leading causes of back pain injuries in the workplace, accounting for 33% of all cases. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
  • The healthcare industry has the highest rate of back pain injuries among all professions, with a rate of 206 per 10,000 full-time workers. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
  • Workers who perform manual material handling tasks have a higher risk of developing back pain than those who do not. (Source: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine)
  • Among workers who develop back pain due to their job, about 25% will miss work for at least one day. (Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)

FAQs

What are the most common causes of back pain?

Some of the most common causes of back pain include poor posture, physical inactivity, obesity, aging, and stress. Other factors that can contribute to back pain include spinal abnormalities, injury, and certain medical conditions.

How is back pain diagnosed?

A healthcare provider will typically perform a physical exam and ask about the patient's symptoms and medical history. Imaging tests such as X-rays or MRI scans may also be ordered to help diagnose the cause of the pain.

Can exercise help relieve back pain?

Yes, exercise can be an effective way to relieve back pain. Strengthening exercises that target the muscles supporting the spine can help improve flexibility and reduce strain on the lower back. Low-impact exercises such as walking or swimming can also be beneficial for individuals with chronic back pain.

What are some non-surgical treatments for back pain?

Non-surgical treatments for back pain include medication, physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. These treatments aim to reduce inflammation and muscle tension while improving mobility and function.

When should I see a doctor for my back pain?

It is recommended to see a doctor if your back pain lasts longer than a few weeks or if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever or loss of bladder control. Additionally, individuals with severe or worsening symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.

Conclusion

Back pain is a complex and multifactorial condition that affects millions of people worldwide. These statistics highlight the need for greater awareness, prevention, and treatment of this condition.

Whether you are a healthcare provider, a patient, or simply someone interested in learning more about back pain, these statistics provide valuable insights into the prevalence, causes, and impact of this condition.

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