Are there programs to help people prevent low back pain? There seems to be so many people who have it, it should be preventable.

Chronic lower back pain is a very common problem in our society. It’s estimated that just about everyone will experience lower back pain at least once in their life, with many living with chronic pain. There are many causes for lower back pain, not all of them are preventable. That being said, many are preventable and there should be an emphasis on this.

Many jobs that require lifting and physical work do focus on proper body mechanics, in an effort to prevent back injuries. But that’s not enough because back injuries happen outside of work either while doing household chores are just having fun on the weekends. Two important risk factors for back injuries could be eliminated with certain lifestyle choices: being overweight and/or being sedentary. If you are overweight, this places a burden on the body, including the back and if you are sedentary, your muscles won’t be as strong as they could be, making it more difficult for your back to do its work properly.