Health and Wellness Blog

Back pain is one of the most common reasons Canadians predominantly between the ages of 30 and 50 seek medical advice or miss work.

Often no specific cause of the back pain can be identified.  However, the most common causes of back pain are:

• Muscle strain or ligament sprain
• Osteoarthritis of the spine

• Herniated disk
• Spinal compression fractures (usually due to falls or osteoporosis)
• Fibromyalgia

Though most back pain gets better after a few weeks of home care, you may be able to avoid back pain altogether by:

• Exercising regularly
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Quitting smoking
• Using good posture
• Using proper body mechanics to lift, stand and sit

Do you have low back pain?  Have a look at The College of Family Physicians of Canada: Low Back Pain: Tips on Pain Relief and Prevention

Review slide shows from the Mayo Clinic including:

Slide Show: Causes of Back Pain

Slide Show: Back Exercises in 15 Minutes a Day

Slide Show: Sleeping Positions That Reduce Back Pain

Slide Show: Prevent Back Pain with Good Posture  

Slide Show: Protect Your Back While Lifting

Check out the Library's recent books about back pain .  To see which branch has a copy of the book and to place a hold, click on the title link.

The Back Book	Back Pain	Healing Back: a Practical Approach to Healing Common Back Ailments

Conquer Back and Neck Pain: Walk It Off!	Exercises for Back Pain	Framework for the Lower Back