ABSTRACT
The lifetime prevalence of low back pain has been reported at between 60 and 80%. By comparison, the lifetime prevalence of true sciatica has been reported at 5.3% in men and 3.7% in women. It is generally accepted that 90% of acute episodes of low back pain settle, allowing return to work within 6 weeks. However, some 3-4% of the population aged between 16 and 44 years and 5-7% of the population aged between 45 and 64 years will report back problems as a ‘chronic sickness’.
