In the US, lower back pain is one of the most common conditions and one of the leading causes of physician visits. In fact, at least four out of five adults will experience it at some point in their lives.
Ironically, the severity of the pain is often unrelated to the extent of physical damage. For example, muscle spasm from a simple back strain can cause excruciating lower back pain that can make it difficult to walk or even stand, whereas a large herniated disc or completely degenerated disc can actually be completely painless.
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
