ack pain, the disease of the 21st century ?
Back pain refers to any pain felt in the back area. When the pain is severe, it is called lumbago. It can be surprising and immediate, or chronic and lasting for long periods. Back pain is acute when it lasts less than 4 weeks, sub-acute if it lasts between 4 and 12 weeks, and chronic when it persists for more than 12 weeks. Many anatomical structures, such as muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine can cause back pain – this is why an accurate diagnostic and appropriate treatment for back pain are very complex.
Many adults spend a significant part of their life afflicted with chronic back pain. Nine out of ten adults suffer from back pain during their lifetime, and half of the active population suffers from back pain every year (Patel and Ogle, 2000)! Back pain is the leading cause of absence from work in the below 45 years demographic group, and the United States spend up to $ 50 billion a year on treatments for back pain (NIH, 2003). Thus, fighting back pain and subsequent afflictions has become a top priority for our health policies. The United Kingdom and Australia, national campaigns for the prevention of back pain have already been launched.
In case of back pain, it is imperative to consult a medical specialist. It is important to get a diagnostic and adequate treatment as soon as possible.
References :
Patel, Atul T., and Abna A. Ogle. “Diagnosis and Management of Acute Low Back Pain.” American Family Physician 61.6 (2000): 1779-786. American Academy of Family Physicians, 15 Mar. 2000. Web.
“Low Back Pain Fact Sheet.” National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
National Institutes of Health, July 2003. Web.
