Back pain varies from one person to the next. It can range from mild to severe, and can be short-lived or long-lasting. Preventing all back pain may not be possible, but there are things we can do to lessen the impact of low back problems.

Guidelines for Proper Lifting
*Plan ahead what you want to do and do not be in a hurry.
*Position yourself close to the object you want to lift.
*Separate your feet shoulder-width apart to give yourself a solid base of support.
*Bend at the knees.
*Tighten your stomach muscles.
*Lift with your leg muscles as you stand up.
*If an object is too heavy or is an awkward shape, do not try to lift it by yourself. Get help.

For more back health information contact Dr. Yuri Falkinstein and take a look at the Ortho Info AAOS website: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00175