Back Pain Risk Factors

Back pain, particularly lower back pain, is most often caused by strained back muscles and ligaments as a result of improper lifting techniques, or as a result of lifting an overly heavy load, or a result of sudden or awkward movement.

If you perform any activities that are likely to cause back pain, then they are a risk factor for back pain. Solution to avoiding or preventing back pain in the majority of cases is simple: avoid accidents and any activities that place undue stress or strain on the muscles, bones, and other tissues in your back.

Other risk factors for back pain include being a smoker, being overweight, eating a poor diet, and also failing to be active enough or get enough exercise. If your lifestyle falls into any of categories, then you can take definite steps to minimize your risk of developing back pain, and a range of other serious health related issues.

Please Note: If the pain could be a result of any of the rarer or more exotic causes of back pain, such as Arthritis, Cauda Equina Syndrome, or cancer or infection of the spine or spinal cord, and if any of these medical conditions run in your family or if you are at elevated risk of developing any of these conditions, then you are also at an elevated risk of developing back pain. If this situation applies to you, then you should discuss this with your doctor and seek to arrange diagnostic tests to either confirm or rule out a diagnosis for these conditions. If any of these conditions are found to exist, then suitable treatments, in addition to those required to treat the back pain, should also be sought as soon as possible.

Back Pain