Medical Report: The most common cause of chronic back pain

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Nine out of 10 people will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. But there is one cause of chronic back pain that is more common than any other.

When people have back pain that doesn’t go away and starts getting worse, the culprit is most commonly an issue called lumbar spinal stenosis , a degenerative condition in the spine that leads to narrowing in the areas around the nerves.

This puts pressure on the nerves and leads to pain and burning, which is worse when standing than sitting. People with this condition feel better when they sit or bend.

There are numerous forms of treatment, ranging from massage and stretches to physical therapy, medications and, potentially, surgery.

Get more medical reports from Dr. Brian McDonough .

​​KYW Newsradio’s Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.