Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

While Trick or Treaters or a scary movie can send chills down your spine, if you actually take some time to look at the landscape of back pain in America, you may also be scared by what you learn. We don’t want you to live in fear of back pain, but at the same time, there are some statistics that are quite scary when it comes to the extent of back pain across the US. In today’s blog, we share five scary facts about back pain in the US and share some tips for how you can avoid becoming another statistic.

1. Most Americans will experience back problems

Statistics suggest that upwards of 90% or more Americans will experience a spinal issue at some point in their life. It could come in the form of spinal stenosis, a herniated disc, sciatic nerve pressure, scoliosis, a spinal muscle tear or one of the other many types of back issue. And while there’s no way to guarantee that you will never suffer a back injury, our best advice is to remain active throughout life and seek professional assistance for new back symptoms so that you can control them before they snowball.

2. Most people don’t treat their back pain correctly

When back pain first develops, most people don’t treat it optimally, at least not as a first line of treatment. Most Americans either try to push through their discomfort, hoping that back pain will eventually just go away on their own, or they pursue overly passive forms of treatment as the main form of their rehabilitation program, with the bulk of their recovery efforts being rest or medications. Rest and anti-inflammatories can be helpful, but the optimal treatment plan typically involves proactive solutions like physical therapy, controlled exercise and stretching programs alongside some other passive options. Jumping into the right treatment program at the outset gives you the best chance to quickly and fully recover from your spine issue.

3. Back pain numbers are on the rise

Back pain is a major burden on individuals and the healthcare community, and the numbers suggest it’s only getting worse. The number of adults who have experienced back pain within the last three months has grown to 39% in 2025 (up from 29.5% in 1997 and 33.7% in 2013). This is likely fueled by a few different issues, including overly sedentary lifestyles and rising obesity rates. To avoid becoming another statistic, stay active, maintain an ideal weight and ensure your diet is full of essential vitamins and nutrients that aid in spinal function.

4. Many patients struggle to find an accurate diagnosis

Back pain is incredibly complex, and oftentimes many issues present with similar symptoms. Because of this, it can be very difficult to pinpoint exactly what’s causing your discomfort, and getting an accurate diagnosis is key to pursuing the right type of treatment. Heading to a spine specialist can significantly increase your odds of getting a correct diagnosis, but sometimes even the best professionals have challenges pinpointing a problem. Many Americans are diagnosed with non-specific low back pain, and trying to treat a problem without seeing a clear mechanical injury or obvious soft tissue injury can make effective treatment all that more difficult. Connect with a specialist for a diagnosis and don’t be afraid to seek out a second opinion if you’re not finding much success with your initial physician’s care program.

5. Back pain oftentimes affects other areas of your body

Back pain rarely remains contained to the spinal region. Many systems work in close proximity to the spine or help to support the spinal column, so a problem in the spine can extend to other areas, and vice versa. It’s not uncommon for a spinal issue to lead to discomfort in your arms and legs, to impact your bladder or bowel movements, or to cause problems for your gait or balance. Conversely, an abdominal injury or knee arthritis can have ripple effects that impact your spine, as stress that is channeled through your spine may be amplified if supportive structures can no longer handle their normal burden. Talk with your doctor if your back pain is coupled with symptoms in other areas of your body, and don’t overlook the fact that symptoms in your extremities could be tied to a specific issue in your spine.

Let Dr. Sinicropi help you avoid becoming another scary statistic when it comes to back pain. We can help prevent and treat any and all spine issues, so trust your back health to us. Give Dr. Sinicropi and the team at Midwest Spine & Brain Institute a call today at (651) 430-3800.

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