Factors that increase the risk of back pain and injury
The following factors may increase your risk for back pain.
Factors you cannot control
- Growing older
- Being a man
- Having a family history of back pain
- Having children. Two or more full-term pregnancies triple a woman's risk of osteoporosis and potential collapse of the vertebrae.
- Having a problem with your spine that has been present since birth (congenital)
- Having a degenerative disease of the spine, such as osteoporosis or arthritis
Factors you can control
- Not exercising regularly
- Sitting for long periods, lifting or pulling heavy objects, bending or twisting frequently, heavy physical exertion, repetitive motions, and exposure to constant vibration, such as from driving
- Smoking. A smoker is twice as likely to have low back pain than a non-smoker.
- Being overweight (weighing more than 20% over your ideal body weight)
- Having poor posture
- Being under a lot of stress
- Having a mental health problem, such as depression or severe anxiety
- Having an illness or disease that causes chronic coughing
Activities that increase your risk
- Running or jogging
- Skiing and snowboarding
- Sledding, snowmobiling, or tobogganing
- Sports that require forceful twisting, such as gymnastics and wrestling
- Contact sports, such as football or rugby
- Work-related activities that require repeated lifting, bending, or twisting of the back
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: October 3, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine | |
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