Staggering Statistics How Lower Back Pain is Affecting Women in Droves

New data reveals that back pain affects 619 million people globally, making it one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. In this article we’ve explored just how widespread it is, its detrimental effects, and the huge cost to individuals and society.

According to the World Health Organization, back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide and prevents people from not only working, but from doing everyday simple activities.[2]

Research by the Mayo Clinic also found that a back problem is the third most common reason for a visit to the doctor’s office.[3]

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95% of those suffering will recover within a few months, with 5% developing chronic LBP (i.e pain that lasts for 3 months or longer), according to recent back injury statistics.

Using natural language processing (NLP) researchers were able to understand the impact of the pandemic on back pain — and it wasn’t good!

With acute and chronic low back pain being one of the top five reasons for visiting an emergency department in the country.[11]

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shared the breakdown by age group when it comes to back pain over a three month period. Please see the table below:[14]

It is thought that people with physically demanding jobs, physical and mental conditions and smokers, are also at far greater risk of suffering from this ailment.[15]

That said, the American Physical Therapy Association explained that women (20%) are less likely to report that low back pain affects their ability to do their work, as opposed to men (31%).

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The American Chiropractic Association states that if you then add in lost wages and decreased productivity (often called indirect costs), that figure easily rises to more than $100 billion.

One-half of all Americans in employment admit to having these symptoms annually, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics confirming that workers take an average of 12 sick days to recuperate before going back to work.[22]

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a back-related injury accounts for one in every five injuries and illnesses at work.

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BLS ran a survey and discovered that 80% of these injuries were to the lower back and, unsurprisingly, 75% of these happened during lifting tasks.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics discovered the most affected occupations that experienced musculoskeletal disorders, and had to take a period of leave from the workplace, were:[27]

Chronic pain statistics show there’s an average 42 minutes sleep debt when people suffer with chronic pain, compared to 14 minutes for those experiencing acute pain.

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Anyone who wants to improve their sleep, can check out The Good Body’s list of the top things to help you sleep.

Exercise is one effective way to enjoy immediate relief from back pain, however you must speak to your doctor before taking up a new regime.

49% of those with back pain will turn to pain killers as their first treatment option for back pain, despite them only being designed for short-term relief and just to treat the symptoms.[30]

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Massage tools, acupressure products and items you might send as a back pain gift, such as heat pads, can also be helpful.

Booking an appointment with a physical therapist or chiropractor can be a more effective way to get to the root cause of the condition.

Take a look at the latest chiropractic statistics, and you’ll see 77% of people who receive the therapy for back pain describe it as “very effective”.

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Alternatively many find joining a back pain support group to be a positive move. Of course not to treat their condition, but to build a strong network of support.