Population studies show that back pain affects most adults at some stage in their life. Approximately 90% of adults experience back pain at some point in their life, and 50% of the working adults have back pain every year. Back pain can be a sign of a serious medical problem, although this is not most frequently the underlying cause.

In general back pain does not usually require immediate medical intervention. The vast majority of episodes of back pain are self-limiting and non-progressive. Most back pain syndromes are due to inflammation, especially in the acute phase, which typically lasts for two weeks to three months.

Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder which affects the lumbar segment of the spine. It can be either acute, sub acute or chronic in its clinical presentation. Typically, the symptoms of low back pain do show significant improvement within two to three months from its onset. In a significant number of individuals, low back pain tends to be recurrent in nature with a waxing and waning quality to it. In a small proportion of sufferers this condition can become chronic. 

Low back pain is the cause for more sick leave and disability than any other single medical condition. One of the most underestimated factors of people working in a sitting or partially sitting position is the use of proper working stools and chairs.