Does Your Back Hurt? Then Put Down that Butt! Each year, an estimated 443,000 Americans die prematurely from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke. Despite these known risks, approximately 46.6 million American adults smoke cigarettes. It may not be as well-known, but smokers are more prone to back pain and spine problems than nonsmokers.    More...

The clinical information provided on this website is developed and reviewed by the physician members and spine specialists of the North American Spine Society, a nonprofit, multidisciplinary organization dedicated to spine education, research and advocacy. This information is not a substitute for care from a physician. For medical advice about your particular situation, please consult your health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, please use our spine care provider search, located on the right hand side of this page.