Person holding their lower back because of pain getty

Back pain is the world’s leading cause of disability, affecting more than 619 million people globally , according to a 2020 report from the World Health Organization. Few conditions have such a wide range of causes — from temporary muscle spasms to terminal metastatic cancer. While back pain is often fleeting and mild, there are key signals that help physicians distinguish between benign and more serious causes.

I spoke with Dr. Lindsey Ross, a neurosurgeon who specializes in the spine, about the truths and misconceptions around back pain. She also shared how A.I. technology is reshaping the future of spine care.

Common Causes of Back Pain

According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common causes of back pain include muscle or liga

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