Smoking may be cause of pain in the back

January 11, 2010 Researchers in Finland reviewed 81 studies from around the world conducted between 1966 and last year. Smokers reported a 31 percent higher incidence of low back pain compared with people who have never smoked. They say the link is even higher among adolescent smokers.

Scientists say the back pain could be caused by reduced blood supply to the spine, increased risk of osteoporosis, or the increased circulation of pain-conducting chemicals in the blood from smoking.

The study is in this month's American Journal of Medicine.