Although doctors of chiropractic treat more than just back pain, many patients initially visit a chiropractor looking for relief from this pervasive condition. In fact, about 31 million Americans experience low back pain at any given time. Some interesting facts:

Back pain can affect people of all ages, from adolescents to the elderly. Experts estimate that up to 80% of the population will experience back pain at some time in their lives.

Back pain is the third most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office, behind skin disorders and osteoarthritis/joint disorders.

Most cases of back pain are mechanical or non-organic—meaning they are not caused by serious conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture or cancer.

Most people with low back pain recover. Reoccurrence is common, however, and for a small percentage of people the condition will become chronic and disabling.

Worldwide, back pain is the single leading cause of disability, preventing many people from engaging in work as well as other everyday activities.

Back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work. One half of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year. Back pain accounts for more than 264 million lost work days in one year—that’s two work days for every full-time worker in the country.

Worldwide, years lived with disability caused by low back pain have increased by 54% between 1990 and 2015.

Low back pain costs Americans at least $50 billion in health care costs each year—add in lost wages and decreased productivity and that figure easily rises to more than $100 billion. Doctors of chiropractic care have always been, and are still the experts in treating back pain!

Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com.