Anoop K. Reddy, M.D.

Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on low back pain, which is the most common cause of job-related disability and a leading contributor to missed work. Back pain is the second most common neurological ailment in the United States- only headache is more common.

Acute or short term low back pain generally lasts a few days to a few weeks.Usually the result of trauma to the lower back or a disorder such as arthritis.

Chronic back pain is measured by duration - pain that persists more than 3 months is considered chronic. It is often progressive and the cause can be difficult to determine.