How much back pain is normal?

Dr Sarah Jarvis, membre de l’Ordre de l’Empire britannique

Four in five of us have back pain at some point, most commonly in our lower backs (lumbar area) or our necks. Even if the pain is severe, there's a 90% chance it'll be gone, or be much better, within six weeks. Most pain settles within a week. In 95% of cases there's no serious underlying cause.

For more information, go to /health/back-and-spine-pain/features/when-to-worry-about-back-pain