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Back Pain Risk Factors

Aging produces wear and tear on the spine that may result in conditions (e.g., disc degeneration, spinal stenosis) that produce neck and back pain. Having a previous back injury puts one at risk for another injury.

Physically demanding occupations that require repetitive bending and lifting have a high incidence of back injury (e.g., construction worker, caregiver). Jobs that require long hours of standing without a break (e.g., hairdresser) or sitting in a chair (e.g., keyboard operator) that does not support the back well put a person at risk for neck and lower back injury.

Being sedentary (i.e., not exercising regularly or engaging in physical recreation) and being overweight, which increases stress on the lower back, are risk factors.

Poor posture, such as slouching in a chair, driving hunched over, standing incorrectly, and using poor body mechanics when lifting and carrying heavy loads are risk factors. Sleeping on a soft or sagging mattress also can lead to back pain.

Sports that involve twisting the back, like golf, can result in back injury or worsen existing lower back pain.

Joint and/or bone disease (e.g., osteoporosis, arthritis) and infectious disease (e.g., spinal meningitis) can lead to degeneration, inflammation, and compression.

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