By the Numbers - Feb. 22, 2016
5%
The percentage of those inducted into the military since 2000 who were affected by "clinically significant back pain" within six months of beginning "active service," according to an article in the January 2016 issue of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center's Medical Surveillance Monthly Report -- Durations of service until first and recurrent episodes of clinically significant back pain, active component military members: changes among new accessions to service since calendar year 2000.
By the 13th month of active service, that percentage doubles -- to 10%.
Of interest, among new accessions to service other than those in combat-specific occupations, lengths of time until 5% and 10% were affected by back pain generally increased during the surveillance period. The finding suggests that changes in physical fitness regimens, military training programs, and/or psychosocial supports that are provided during the first year of service may have reduced risk of acute back pain in trainees during their first year of service, excepting those training for combat-specific occupations.
5%
The percentage of those inducted into the military since 2000 who were affected by "clinically significant back pain" within six months of beginning "active service," according to an article in the January 2016 issue of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center's Medical Surveillance Monthly Report -- Durations of service until first and recurrent episodes of clinically significant back pain, active component military members: changes among new accessions to service since calendar year 2000.
By the 13th month of active service, that percentage doubles -- to 10%.
Of interest, among new accessions to service other than those in combat-specific occupations, lengths of time until 5% and 10% were affected by back pain generally increased during the surveillance period. The finding suggests that changes in physical fitness regimens, military training programs, and/or psychosocial supports that are provided during the first year of service may have reduced risk of acute back pain in trainees during their first year of service, excepting those training for combat-specific occupations.