Full Title: Current Therapeutic Options for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Focus on Nonsurgical Approaches
Author: Shah, MD/ Schaufele MD
Affiliation: NY Medical/Harvard Medical
Study Focus: The Significant Impact of Low Back Pain
Opening paragraph: In recognition of the extreme burden and impact that musculoskeletal disorders have on society, the United Nations and the World Health Organization(WHO) have designated 2000 to 2010 as the Bone and Joint Decade. Musculoskeletal disorders—of which low back pain (LBP) is the most prevalent condition—are the most common cause of severe long term pain and physical disability. lnternational studies indicate that the percentage of people that experience LBP during their lifetime ranges from 58% to 84%, while point prevalence figures estimate that LBP affects an average of 30% of the population at any given time. Currently, there are approximately 10 million Americans disabled by LBP.