Chronic back pain is very common in our society, so it’s understandable that when someone has an acute injury (one that just happened), he or she may worry that it will become long term or chronic. The reality is, most people who have an acute back pain don’t end up with chronic back pain. Those who end up with chronic pain are in the minority.
Doctors have found that there are a few things that can help them figure out who will be most likely to have chronic back pain. They are those who don’t return to work quickly, those whose work environment isn’t adapted, as well as those who have pain that goes beyond the back (radiates down the legs) and where there is more than one area that hurts.