By: Ana Gorelova
Almost everyone will deal with back pain at some point in their lives. Most recover quickly, but for about 20% of people, acute pain becomes a chronic condition that interferes with daily life and keeps them out of the workforce.
Low back pain is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Despite that, the most effective way to prevent a short-term episode from becoming a long-term problem has not been clear, especially for people who are most at risk.
“Chronic low back pain prevention is a public health issue,” said Michael Schneider, professor of community health services and rehabilitation sciences and director of the Doctor of Chiropractic program in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. Schneider is also the coprincipal investigator of the Pitt arm of the study.