• Low back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide. (Global Burden of Disease 2010)
• One-half of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year.
•  Back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work. Additionally, back pain is the second
• most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office, outnumbered only by upper respiratory
• infections.
• Most cases of back pain are mechanical or non-organic – meaning they are not caused by serious
• conditions such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture, or cancer.
• Americans spend at least $50 billion per year on back pain.
• Experts estimate as many as 80% of the population will experience a back problem at some point in
• their lives.

(The above information is taken from the American Chiropractic Association website.)

In light of the above information, it should be clear that evaluation of the spinal column to screen for problems is an essential tool in trying to prevent more serious problems.