Mental attitude predicts long term continuation of back pain

 Back pain is common and many people experience long-term problems but not much is known about what factors influence long-term outcomes.

A team from Keele University has shed some light on the situation and published their findings in The Journal of Pain. Analysis was carried out on 488 people who had consulted their physician about lower back pain and they were contacted at 6 months and five years.

Back pain experienced at 6 months and 5 years was predicted by the pain intensity experienced initially and the participants’ perceptions about if the pain would persist, ie if you think it’s going to hurt further down the line, it’s more likely to.