How can low back pain be a "benign" disorder? It has ruined my life. If I could cut my spine out I'd do it in a heartbeat.

For most healthy adults who have low back pain (LBP), it is considered "benign." There's a good prognosis. The patient is very likely to get better. It won't shorten their life or kill them.

But painful conditions that result in chronic loss of function and disability certainly aren't "benign." For some people ignoring back pain doesn't help. It doesn't go away and can wreck havoc in their lives.

There's still hope. If you haven't been to a pain clinic, give it some consideration. New ways of treating pain and managing the stress are available today. If nothing else you may be able to increase your function while living within the confines of your pain.