1. Frequency: 76.2 million people
2. Most reported type of pain: Low back pain
3. 32% of Americans, over the age of 20, who have reported pain say that it lasted less than one month
4. 50% of Americans have some form of chronic pain
5. 25% of Americans have or have had short lived pain
6. Women seek help more frequently than men
7. Treatments: pain relievers, acupuncture
8. Can interfere with your ability to work and sleep

Thousands of years ago, ancient peoples attributed pain to spirits and treated it with mysticism and incantations. Over the centuries, science has provided us with a remarkable ability to understand and control pain with medications, surgery, and other treatments. Today, scientists understand a great deal about the causes and mechanisms of pain, and research has produced dramatic improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of a number of painful disorders. For people who fight every day against the limitations imposed by pain, the work of NINDS-supported scientists holds the promise of an even greater understanding of pain in the coming years. Their research offers a powerful weapon in the battle to prolong and improve the lives of people with pain: hope. — National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Disclaimer: The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have Pain, please consult your doctor.