Low back pain is a common and leading cause of disability worldwide, with increasing disability and costs in low-income and middle-income countries.

What low back pain is and why we need to pay attention

Low back pain management requires a multidisciplinary approach integrating biological, psychological, and social aspects, with progress in understanding psychological, social risk factors, genetics, and brain mechanisms.

Low back pain

Non-specific low back pain can be effectively managed through education, reassurance, analgesic medicines, non-pharmacological therapies, and timely review, with overuse of imaging, opioids, and surgery being a widespread issue.

Non-specific low back pain

Low back pain is often managed with nonpharmacologic therapies, such as exercise and psychosocial management, and may require surgery for severe cases.

Low Back Pain

Non-specific low back pain is a major public health issue, with genetic constitution playing a significant role in its pathogenesis, and self-management with appropriate support is recommended for effective pain management.

Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, with its burden growing alongside the aging population and is unrelated to specific spinal abnormalities.

Low back pain: a call for action

Evidence-based management of low back pain has greatly improved, with improved diagnostic and treatment methods.

Diagnosis and treatment of low back pain

Advances in understanding low back pain have led to the development of new diagnostic procedures, evidence-based screening methods, and targeted interventions, emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary approach integrating biological, psychological, and social aspects.

Low back pain.

Young athletes with low back pain are more likely to have structural injuries, and treatment should focus on flexibility and muscle imbalances to prevent future injuries.

Low Back Pain in Young Athletes

This paper provides a guide for clinicians to identify specific pain generators in chronic low back pain, aiding in safer and faster diagnosis and therapeutic management.

Mechanisms of low back pain: a guide for diagnosis and therapy

The German Disease Management Guideline on nonspecific low back pain recommends using the most suitable drugs, at the lowest dose, and for the shortest time possible, while encouraging patients to adopt a healthful lifestyle, including regular physical exercise.

Non-Specific Low Back Pain.

Selective evaluation is crucial to avoid unnecessary tests and surgical procedures, with conservative management being the most effective treatment for most patients with low back pain.

Preventive measures like exercise and proper lifting techniques in the workplace have limited effectiveness in preventing low back pain.

Nonspecific acute low back pain improves within several weeks with treatment, but chronic nonspecific low back pain requires a multidisciplinary approach to preserve function and prevent disability.

Early diagnostic evaluation focusing on three basic questions can help distinguish between simple back pain and serious underlying diseases or neurologic impairments, with imaging being a key tool.

Diagnostic Evaluation of Low Back Pain with Emphasis on Imaging

Low back pain is prevalent in adults, with a lifetime prevalence of 40%, and is likely to increase as the population ages, affecting work performance and social responsibilities.

Epidemiology of Low Back Pain in Adults

Low back pain is a common issue with a prevalence ranging from 8% to 56% in the United States, and its risk factors include physical, social, demographic, and psychosocial factors.

Epidemiology of low back pain.

Low-back pain in athletes is often caused by degenerative disc disease or spondylolytic stress lesions, with nonoperative treatment providing successful pain relief in 80% of cases.

Low-back pain in athletes.

Low-back pain is significantly related to occupational factors, anxiety, depression, stressful occupations, and increased pregnancy frequency.

Epidemiologic Studies of Low-Back Pain

Low back pain is a complex condition involving social, psychological, and biological factors, and a multimodal interdisciplinary approach is necessary for effective treatment and prevention.

These studies suggest that low back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide, requiring a multidisciplinary approach for management, including education, non-pharmacological therapies, and appropriate use of medical interventions.