Why do most people suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lives?

1. Lifetime prevalence of lower back pain:

Most people will experience lower back pain at some point during their lives. International research commonly estimates lifetime prevalence at approximately 70–85%, although estimates vary according to the population studied and the definition of back pain used. This means that lower back pain is not an unusual condition affecting a small minority; it is a widespread experience across the population.

Why prevalence matters:

Lower back pain can affect:

• Physical mobility and the ability to undertake everyday activities.
• Sleep quality and general wellbeing.
• Productivity and the ability to remain in employment.
• Mental health, particularly when pain becomes persistent.
• Healthcare utilisation, including GP consultations, physiotherapy, medication, and occasionally surgery.

Lower back pain is particularly important in working-age populations because it can affect individuals during their most economically productive years.

2. How many working days are lost annually in the UK due to lower back pain?

Lower back pain has a significant economic impact because it can prevent people from working, reduce productivity, and contribute to long-term sickness absence.

However, it is important to distinguish between:

• All musculoskeletal conditions.
• Work-related musculoskeletal conditions.
• Work-related back pain specifically.
• All lower back pain, including pain that is not caused by work.

These figures are not interchangeable.

UK working days lost: key statistics:

In 2023/24 · 2.55 million estimated working days were lost due to work-related back pain in Great Britain, whilst 7.1 million estimated working days were lost across all work-related musculoskeletal disorders, including back, upper limb, neck, and lower limb conditions. 

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported that in 2025:

• 543,000 workers were suffering from work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
• 232,000 workers had work-related musculoskeletal disorders affecting the back.
• Work-related back pain resulted in approximately 2.55 million working days lost.
• Back conditions accounted for approximately 41% of working days lost due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

What does this mean for employers?

Back pain can affect workplace performance in several ways:

Workplace impact	Potential consequence
Sickness absence	Employees may be unable to attend work.
Presenteeism	Employees attend work but experience reduced productivity.
Reduced mobility	Employees may struggle with lifting, standing, walking, or sitting.
Work restrictions	Temporary adjustments may be required.
Long-term absence	Persistent symptoms may contribute to extended sickness absence.

 

A key point is that the 2.55 million figure relates to work-related back pain in Great Britain, not every episode of lower back pain in the UK.

It is also not a precise figure for lower back pain alone, because HSE's back category may include other back-related symptoms and conditions.

The wider economic burden is likely to be greater when non-work-related back pain, reduced productivity, healthcare expenditure, and people leaving employment are included.

3. What causes lower back pain?

Lower back pain can arise from a combination of physical, biological, psychological, and lifestyle factors.

The WHO estimates that approximately 90% of lower back pain cases are non-specific. This means that, although the individual experiences pain, a single specific structural cause cannot confidently be identified. 

World Health Organization: 

 

This is an important consideration because the presence of pain does not necessarily mean that a person has a damaged disc, a misaligned spine, or a serious structural abnormality.

3.1 Common physical causes of lower back pain:

Muscle and ligament strain:

Muscle and ligament strains are common causes of acute lower back pain.

They may occur following:

• Lifting heavy objects.
• Sudden twisting movements.
• Repeated bending.
• Unaccustomed physical activity.
• Overexertion during exercise or manual work.

A strain may cause local pain, stiffness, and discomfort during movement.

Intervertebral disc problems:

The discs between the vertebrae help distribute forces and allow spinal movement.

Disc-related conditions include:

• Disc degeneration.
• Disc bulging.
• Disc herniation or prolapse.

A herniated disc may irritate or compress a nerve root, potentially causing sciatica.

However, disc degeneration and disc bulges can also be present in people who have no back pain.

Facet joint pain

The facet joints are small joints at the back of the spine.

They can contribute to lower back pain, particularly when symptoms are associated with certain movements or positions.

Sciatica and nerve compression

Sciatica refers to pain associated with irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve or its nerve roots.

Symptoms may include:

• Pain travelling from the lower back into the buttock and leg.
• Tingling or numbness.
• Muscle weakness.
• Pain that worsens with certain movements.

Sciatica is not the same as non-specific lower back pain, and its management may differ.

Other medical conditions

Less commonly, lower back pain may be associated with:

• Vertebral fractures.
• Osteoporosis.
• Inflammatory conditions such as axial spondyloarthritis.
• Spinal infection.
• Cancer.
• Referred pain from internal organs.

These conditions require appropriate clinical assessment rather than routine self-management alone. 

3.2 Lifestyle choices that may influence lower back pain

Lifestyle factors can influence the likelihood of developing lower back pain, the severity of symptoms, and the risk of persistent pain.

Physical inactivity:

Low levels of physical activity may contribute to reduced physical capacity, poorer muscular endurance, and difficulty tolerating everyday physical demands. Regular movement and exercise are recommended for both management and prevention of functional decline.

Excess body weight:

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of lower back pain. Potential mechanisms include increased mechanical loading, systemic inflammation, reduced physical activity, and associated health conditions.

Smoking:

Smoking is associated with lower back pain and poorer outcomes in some populations. Possible mechanisms include impaired tissue healing, altered pain processing, and effects on spinal structures.

Occupational physical demands:

Repeated heavy lifting, awkward postures, repetitive bending, and high physical workloads can increase the risk of work-related back pain.

Poor sleep:

Sleep disturbance can contribute to pain sensitivity and may be associated with persistent symptoms. Pain can also disrupt sleep, creating a potentially self-reinforcing cycle.

The WHO identifies physical inactivity, smoking, obesity, and high physical stress at work as risk factors for non-specific lower back pain. It also recommends physical activity, healthy weight management, good sleep, and workplace ergonomic adjustments as part of self-management. 

3.3 Psychological and social factors

Lower back pain is influenced by more than physical structures.

Factors associated with persistent symptoms may include:

• Stress.
• Anxiety.
• Depression.
• Fear of movement.
• Catastrophising or excessive concern about pain.
• Low confidence in the ability to recover.
• Poor workplace support.
• Difficulties returning to work.

These factors do not mean that pain is imaginary.

Pain is a real experience influenced by the interaction between the nervous system, physical health, psychological wellbeing, and the person's environment.

For some people, fear of movement can lead to avoidance of normal activities, reduced physical conditioning, and greater disability.

This is one reason why modern lower back pain management increasingly emphasises education, reassurance, and maintaining normal activities alongside physical rehabilitation. This is the key focus for UK based educationally guided manufacturing companies such as VertiBaX, with the unique Core Lumbar Lower Back Belts and Supports, for all day lower back pain relief (VB119), support during exercise (VB120) and bracing during heavy tasks (VB121).

Disclaimer: Please note that all spinal disorders are different. If you have any concerns about any of the information discussed, a medical practitioner who knows your specific condition should be consulted.