My brother hurt his back in a work-related accident. The MRI showed a disc protruding in the low back at two different levels. I thought women in desk jobs were more likely to have this kind of problem. True?

Many studies have been done on low back pain and disc problems. It’s true that women with jobs that involve a lot of sitting are at greater risk than men in similar positions for disc problems. It’s also true that accidental back injuries increase a person’s risk of disc injury regardless of gender.

Risk factors for developing disc problems include motor vehicle accidents, smoking, evening or night-shift work, and genetic factors. Work stress and lack of physical activity during leisure time increase the risk of disc problems.