Holistic Health for your Back

There is no single cause of back pain, although many clinicians approach
problems from a "mechanical" perspective (i.e., the spine or muscles around
the spine aren't functioning properly, which causes the pain). However,
evidence suggests that a number of factors, including exercise, may be
involved in the development of low back pain (LBP).

In a study designed to evaluate the short-term risk factors for new episodes of
LBP, more than 2,500 adults (18-75 years old) completed a survey that gathered
data on height, weight, nonoccupational physical activities (i.e., cycling,
gardening, walking, etc.) and overall health.

All subjects were free of current back pain; new episodes of LBP were
documented in the 12 months following the survey. Self-reported  poor
general health (men and women)and being overweight(women only)  proved
to be the strongest predictors of low back pain, as well as  excess weight (in
women only). Overall, 34% of men and 37% of women reported  new episodes
of low back pain during the study period. 

And the moral to this story? Good health is more than just "fixing something
when it's broken"; it's more than a single workout or a single nutritious meal.
If you're interested in a comprehensive approach to health and wellness,
make an appointment with a doctor of chiropractic. 
 

Croft PR, Papageorgiou AC, Thomas E, et al. Short-term physical
risk factors for new episodes of low back pain. Spine, August 1,
1999: Vol. 24, No. 15, pp1556-1561.