Know Your Body

Can back pain be prevented?

Recurring back pain resulting from improper body mechanics or other
nontraumatic causes is often preventable. A combination of exercises that
don’t jolt or strain the back, maintaining correct posture, and lifting
objects properly can help prevent injuries.

Many work-related injuries are caused or aggravated by stressors such as
heavy lifting, contact stress (repeated or constant contact between soft
body tissue and a hard or sharp object, such as resting a wrist against the
edge of a hard desk or repeated tasks using a hammering motion), vibration,
repetitive motion, and awkward posture. Applying ergonomic principles -
designing furniture and tools to protect the body from injury – at home and Read More→

Know Your Body

What conditions are associated with low back pain?

Conditions that may cause low back pain and require treatment by a physician
or other health specialist include:

Bulging disc (also called protruding, herniated, or ruptured disc). The
intervertebral discs are under constant pressure. As discs degenerate and
weaken, cartilage can bulge or be pushed into the space containing the
spinal cord or a nerve root, causing pain. Studies have shown that most
herniated discs occur in the lower, lumbar portion of the spinal column.

Sciatica is a condition in which a herniated or ruptured disc presses on the
sciatic nerve, the large nerve that extends down the spinal column to its Read More→

Know Your Body

What causes lower back pain?

As people age, bone strength and muscle elasticity and tone tend to
decrease. The discs begin to lose fluid and flexibility, which decreases
their ability to cushion the vertebrae.

Pain can occur when, for example, someone lifts something too heavy or
overstretches, causing a sprain, strain, or spasm in one of the muscles or
ligaments in the back. If the spine becomes overly strained or compressed, a
disc may rupture or bulge outward. This rupture may put pressure on one of
the more than 50 nerves rooted to the spinal cord that control body
movements and transmit signals from the body to the brain. When these nerve
roots become compressed or irritated, back pain results. Read More→