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Back pain at work: Preventing aches, pains and injuries

Back pain can make it hard to do your job. Understanding what causes workplace back pain can help you avoid it.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Whether it's dull and annoying or screaming for attention, back pain can make it hard to concentrate on your job.

Many occupations — such as nursing, construction and factory work — may place significant demands on your back. Even routine office work can worsen back pain if you fall into risky habits.

But you often can avoid back pain and injuries by understanding what causes them and focusing on prevention.

What causes back injuries?

Doctors aren't sure about all of the causes of back pain. In fact, most back problems are probably the result of a combination of factors. Some factors, such as family history, aren't preventable. You can control other factors, such as weight, fitness and flexibility, by changing your lifestyle. Still other factors are work related, and you may or may not be able to modify these to prevent injury.

Four work-related factors are associated with increased risk of back pain and injury:

  • Force. Exerting too much force on your back may cause injury. If your job is physical in nature, you might face injury if you frequently lift or move heavy objects.
  • Repetition. Repetition refers to the number of times you perform a certain movement. Overly repetitious tasks can lead to muscle fatigue or injury, particularly if they involve stretching to the limit of your range of motion or awkward body positioning.
  • Posture. Posture refers to your position when sitting, standing or performing a task. If, for instance, you spend most of your time in front of a computer, you may experience occasional aches and pains from sitting still for extended periods. On average, your body can tolerate being in one position for about 20 minutes before you feel the need to adjust.
  • Stress. Pressures at work or at home can increase your stress level and lead to muscle tension and tightness, which may in turn lead to back pain.
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References
  1. Low back pain fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/pubs/back_pain.htm. Accessed Dec. 11, 2008.
  2. Low back pain. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00311. Accessed Dec. 11, 2008.
  3. Krawciw D, et al. Occupational low back pain: Evaluation. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 11, 2008.
  4. Krawciw D, et al. Occupational low back pain: Treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 11, 2008.
  5. Neck and back pain. The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec04/ch041/ch041a.html. Accessed Jan. 13, 2009.

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Feb. 7, 2009

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