ABSTRACT
Among a population at risk of over 1.48 billion persons per year, with a 1.39 per 1000 persons per year incidence rate, there are an estimated 2.06 million episodes of lower back pain in the United States. Lower back pain is the leading cause of chronic pain and it has become very difficult to treat, as clinicians contemplate whether or not physical exercise, medical, or surgical treatment are the best options. When patients present themselves to a new physician, either after leaving their previous medical provider or as a new consult to evaluate back pain, the history of the patient's illnesses are recorded and past medical records are obtained from the previous physician. Given that the Gate Control Theory of Pain has generated a wide range of research, Waddell's encouraged careful investigation with regards to the nature of chronic low back pain and pain-associated disability.
