Back pain

What it is

Low back pain is the most common cause of disability worldwide; most episodes have no identifiable structural cause and settle within weeks. It is in the news because guidelines now favour staying active, exercise and reassurance over scans, opioids and surgery, and because new research shows that what a doctor says can shape recovery. Evidence for most passive treatments, from injections to many devices sold online, is weak; chronic pain affects around half of middle-aged women in some surveys.

Written by the Alivewire editors from the coverage below, 1d ago. Not medical advice; how the ratings work.