Facts About Low Back Pain

To start off my series of posts on lower back pain and its ergonomic implications, a few facts regarding the disorder to lay the foundation for the rest of the week:

• 80% of the population will suffer from low back pain at some point in their lives (Source: Vallfors B. Acute, Subacute and Chronic Low Back Pain: Clinical Symptoms, Absenteeism and Working Environment. Scan J Rehab Med Suppl 1985; 11: 1-98).
• 50% of the population will suffer from low back pain this year (Source: Vallfors B. Acute, Subacute and Chronic Low Back Pain: Clinical Symptoms, Absenteeism and Working Environment. Scan J Rehab Med Suppl 1985; 11: 1-98).
• Low back pain costs the U.S. economy $90 billion dollars a year (Source).
• Low back pain is defined as any pain caused by injured discs, musle contractions, or other back disorders.
• Per capita health care costs for people with back pain verus those who did not suffer from back pain were 1.6 times higher ($3,498 vs. $2,177) (Source)
• Two types of back pain: acute (sudden onset, lasts for a few days at the longest) and chronic (develops over time, continual or frequently recurring pain)
• Those most at risk for back pain include those who engage in heavy labour, long periods of sitting or standing, people in poor physical shape, those who are chronically exposed to vibration, smokers, etc.

Just a few ways that low back pain is easily one of the greatest ergonomic challenges facing employers today...