Epidemic of untreatable back and neck pain costs billions, study finds

Costing the US alone $88bn a year, low back and neck pain is widespread and expensive - despite the fact that most treatments don't work

Low back and neck pain is an increasingly widespread and expensive condition worldwide, costing the US alone $88bn a year - the third highest bill for any health condition - despite evidence most treatments do not work.

Millions of people worldwide suffer from low back and neck pain, most of it unexplained, although some professionals think it may be worsened by sitting at desks all day, carrying bags and general bad posture. Episodes of acute pain are very common, but experts say that medical investigations only make things worse and the best cure is often to take painkillers, exercise gently and wait for the pain to pass.