Back pain is a widespread disease in Austria. Almost two million people across all age groups are affected, as the Austrian Pain Society (ÖSG) announced.
In general, the problem becomes more acute with increasing age: one in five people under 60 is affected, and one in three people over 60 is affected. Statistics Austria determined: 26 percent of those surveyed aged 15 and over – the equivalent of 1.9 million people – suffered from chronic low back pain or other chronic back problems in the past twelve months.
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“These figures show that back pain is not a question of age. Every second woman over the age of 65 suffers from back pain. In men, this value is only reached from the age of 80,” said Richard Crevenna from the ÖSG.
But the disease also puts a strain on the health system. Economic costs would significantly exceed the direct treatment costs. Society therefore advocates more prevention, especially exercise.
