So what is the reason behind this dramatic increase in patients suffering from back pain over the past few decades? And why is this illness so wide-spread in the developed countries in particular?
Work methods and free-time activities have changed dramatically. After a long, stressful day in the office, we tend to fall completely exhausted on the couch as soon as we arrive home. The walk in the woods or the hour spent working out at the gym are put off for another day.

Lack of exercise and the resulting deterioration of our muscles are thought to be the main causes of back pain. One-sided strain and bad posture also play a decisive role in many activities. People who sit for hours on end in front of a computer screen should change their sitting position as frequently as possible and ensure that their working routine incorporates as much varied movement as the nature of their work allows (switching seats, standing, walking about). Long periods of sitting places extensive strain on intervertebral discs and muscles.
 A short walk around the office or completing special gymnastics movements are often all it takes to help relieve stress from the spine. To help protect the health of their workers, many companies now offer training courses on how to relieve strain from the back. During these courses, participants are taught the correct way to hold themselves and the best way to conduct themselves to help protect their back. Many health professionals complain that preventative measures are still neglected far too often, although they could save enormous sums in treatments costs. The knowledge and implementation of these preventative measures during everyday work can reduce back pain or even prevent it from occurring at all. Alongside the physical aspects, it is equally important to ensure that the environment, e.g. the work place, car seat or mattress, also fulfils special ergonomic criteria.
 

Sources:
The main source for the information included in this article was the guidebook for the prevention of back complaints "Rückengerechte Verhältnisprävention" issued by AGR (Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V.). For further information on AGR, visit their homepage at www.agr-ev.de.
Postal address: AGR e.V., Postfach 103, 27443 Selsingen.

All graphics published with the kind permission of AGR e.V.