5 common causes of lower back pain

From simple slips and falls to uncomfortable seating, here are some common reasons why you may be experiencing lower back pain.

Ouch! You know it hurts, but do you know where your back pain came from? From simple slips and falls to uncomfortable seating, here are some common reasons why you may be experiencing lower back pain.

• Being overweight puts you at an increased risk of lower back pain. This is especially true if you carry excess weight around your midsection.
• To avoid putting stress on your lower back, maintain a healthy weight by following a good diet and exercise plan.

• Incorrect handling is one of the most common causes of lower back pain.
• The key to protecting your back when lowering, lifting, pushing, carrying or pulling heavy items is to use your legs more than your back.
• When lifting, keep your back as straight as possible, your feet apart with one leg slightly forward, and bend only at your knees.
• Hold the item close to your body and avoid changing the position of your back.
• Do not straighten your legs before lifting or your back will end up doing most of the work.

• Wearing high heels for too long can make your lower back sore, but too much time in flat shoes can cause just as much damage.
• Heels cause back pain because they force your feet forward, throwing off your alignment so that your weight is not evenly distributed over your spine.
• Flat shoes, such as flip flops, are not much better — they cause your feet to slide around, reducing your stability so that it puts pressure on your spine.
• To prevent back pain, choose supportive shoes that keep your feet firmly in place and help you achieve proper alignment.

• Back pain following slips, trips and falls can occur due to minor injuries, such as sprains or strains, or more serious injuries, such as fractured vertebrae or herniated discs.
• In many cases, back pain following a slip, trip or fall is uncomfortable, but will get better within six weeks.
• For less serious back injuries, keep active to help heal your injury and relieve your pain.

• Slouching forward stretches and weakens the muscles that keep your body erect.
• By making simple changes to your posture when sitting and standing, you can reduce the strain on your back.
• When sitting, keep your knees and hips level and your feet flat on the floor.
• When standing, keep your head facing forward and your legs straight, and balance your weight evenly on both feet.
• Remember: staying in one position for too long is never advisable, no matter how good your posture, so change positions every 30 minutes to keep back pain at bay.

Finding relief from back pain requires you to be proactive. By identifying and treating the cause of your problems, you can reduce or relieve bad episodes of lower back pain.