Where does back pain hurt the most? A new study indicates that the biggest pain could be in the wallet as individuals with back pain rack up annual health care expenditures 60 percent greater than their non-back pain-suffering counterparts.

The report, published in the January 2012 issue of Pain, was based on a microsimulation model designed to measure the economic effects of poor health on Australian workers ages 45 to 64. Researchers found that men ages 45 to 54 years who retired early due to back trouble would only be worth about $5000 (in Australian dollars) by age 65. By comparison, men in the same age group who worked full time until age 65 would be worth $339,121. Similarly, women aged 45 to 54 years who retired early due to back problems would have $20,064 at age 65, but their counterparts who waited until 65 to retire would have $237,496

Leaving the work force earlier than expected isn't the only way back pain can drain your finances.Many back pain treatment are very expensive......

Millions of people who suffer from back pain are to given the right to demand free acupuncture on the NHS, under controversial new guidance.

Michael Haake, who led the acupuncture study, published in Archives of Internal Medicine, said: "The superiority of both forms of acupuncture suggests a common underlying mechanism that may act on pain generation or transmission of pain signals ... and is stronger than the action mechanism of conventional therapy."

Acupuncture is very efficient treatment for back pain.It will help you save money.