1. There are a total of twenty-three intervertebral discs within the spinal column. These pillow-like pads serve as shock absorbers between the vertebrae. The soft inner core of the disc has been compared to the jelly in a jelly doughnut.

2. The back is a complicated structure consisting of bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, nerve tissue and muscles. This remarkable combination of human anatomy is designed to provide strength, structure flexibility and function to the human body. However, when something goes wrong, back pain can take over our lives.

3. There are many different terms to describe a bulging or herniated disc. Some of these terms tend to be used somewhat interchangeably among some healthcare professionals, and are often used with less specificity than is usually appropriate. Bulging disc, ruptured disc, slipped disc, torn disc (or disc tear), collapsed disc, disc dehydration, disc protrusion, disc disease, disc herniation, free-floating disc fragment and sequestered disc are just some of the terms used. When used interchangeably and with a lack of specificity, these terms can lead to confusion and frustration in patients suffering from these conditions, and result in a lack of certainty about what their exact diagnosis actually is.

4. Back pain is a problem that is prevalent in the modern world. In the United States of America alone, there is an expected 31 million people with lower back pain at any given time.

5. In addition to the physical pain that back pain can cause, the financial strain of the problem is also quite substantial. Over fifty billion dollars are spent per year on treatment of back pain.

6. Back pain is extremely common in today's society. More than 65 million Americans suffer from back pain every year. In fact, back pain is the most common reason why people seek medical care.

7. Up to 85% of all people on this planet will suffer from low back pain at some point in their lives. The pain may last for a few days or continue as chronic low back pain for months and even years.

8. One half of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year. Back pain is the second most leading cause of time loss at work, second only to the common cold, which results in over 100 million lost work days per year.

9. Fortunately, most episodes of back pain will heal with time. Approximately 50% of patients will feel relief from low back pain within two weeks; and approximately 90% within three months, regardless of the treatment. However, more challenging cases of low back pain will only respond favorably to the highest quality of professional care.

10. Not only does back pain adversely affect one’s physical health, it can also be devastating to one’s mental and emotional health because chronic pain causes decreased levels of three different neurotransmitters, each of which can cause a different type of depression.

11. Mechanical low back pain is one of the most common complaints expressed to emergency room physicians in the United States, and accounts for more than 6 million cases annually.

12. Did you know that the spinal cord is not present in the lower (lumbar) spine?