How many people in the US have Chronic Low Back Pain?

US prevalence estimate: No current federal national estimate with a case definition specific to chronic low back pain identified; NHIS reports 39.0% of U.S. adults had back pain in the past 3 months in 2019, which is broader and not interchangeable (NCHS Data Brief 415 — Back, Lower Limb, and Upper Limb Pain Among U.S. Adults, 2019).

Chronic Low Back Pain

Chronic Low Back Pain is indexed under Musculoskeletal & Connective Tissue, Spinal. Also known as CLBP, chronic back pain, lumbar spondylosis.

US prevalence: No current federal national estimate with a case definition specific to chronic low back pain identified; NHIS reports 39.0% of U.S. adults had back pain in the past 3 months in 2019, which is broader and not interchangeable Source: NCHS Data Brief 415 — Back, Lower Limb, and Upper Limb Pain Among U.S. Adults, 2019. This figure comes from a professional society, registry, or study rather than a federal source. Label: REPORTED.
ICD-10-CM codes: M54.5, M47.8
Typical onset: Most common 30-60 years; increases with age
Course: managed
Body systems: musculoskeletal
Sex differences: Roughly equal; women report slightly more
Racial and ethnic differences: Similar across groups; access to treatment varies

What this page does not establish

These figures describe populations, not individuals, and none of them is a diagnosis or a treatment recommendation. Prevalence estimates are approximate and reflect published ranges. Disparity figures are reported patterns, not causes.

Taxonomy last reviewed 2026-05-19. Each figure on the interactive page carries its own source and retrieval date, which can be later than this review.

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