Low back pain remains the world’s leading cause of disability

Low back pain is the most common health condition worldwide and remains the leading cause of years lived with disability. Approximately 619 million people worldwide suffered from this condition in 2020. It affects people of all ages, becomes more common with advancing age, and is more prevalent in women than men. Approximately 90 percent of patients have nonspecific low back pain, meaning no single anatomical structure can be identified as the source of symptoms. Low back pain is a complex condition influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. For acute pain, approximately 72 percent of patients recover within 12 months, while for chronic pain only 42 percent recover. Initial treatment includes patient reassurance, support for self-management, nonpharmacological therapies, and when necessary, medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.