Soldiers Report Less Back Pain After 9-11 Attacks

Our soldiers have impressed the pain researchers! It is generally accepted that stress tends to increase reports of back pain. Despite this, our soldiers reports of back pain decreased significantly after 9-11 as they moved from peace-time to war-time status.

Before the attacks of September 11th, 2001, the percentage of soldiers reporting "no back problems and full fitness to deployment" was between 28-31%. By October, 2001, one month following the attacks, this figure rose to 48%. By November it increased further to 57% and finally, by December the figure rose to 71% reporting "no back problems and full fitness to deployment".

Researchers concluded: "While most previous data would suggest an increase in low back pain complaints with increased psychosocial stressors, this study found that most soldiers transitioning to war-time duties minimized back pain complaints, which ensured fitness for overseas duty. Only a small number of soldiers, not previously reporting disabling back pain began to do so as the time to deployment neared."

Source: Spine Meeting Abstracts