Updated June 09, 2015.
Trying to move an immovable object is the number one cause of back problems in the United States. It encourages you to push, pull, twist, bend, lift, and strain the wrong way. Even an unexpected awkward turn can cause lower back pain. Those people who are in poor physical condition or perform work that requires long periods of sitting or standing are at greater risk for lower back problems. These people also recover more slowly.

Experts say the more time you spend watching TV or sitting in front of a computer, the higher your risk of back pain. Emotional stress or long periods of inactivity may make back pain seem worse, however keeping your back straight when sitting, standing, or walking will ultimately reduce the stress on your back.
The occurence of back pain can be reduced by following these simple rules:

• .Learn to lift and bend properly. Always keep your knees slightly bent when lifting objects or standing for long periods of time. Body positions that involve sudden, fast, or jerky movements may also cause back pain and should be avoided.
  
  
• Exercise. Learning how to make the muscles in your back stronger helps to reduce the number of backaches you experience, as well as the severity of any back pain that occurs. This is accomplished by working on your core stability and doing exercises such as sit-ups, leg lifts, and lunges.
  
  
• Lose weight. If you are only 10 percent over your ideal body weight (example: your ideal weight is 140 pounds and you weigh 154 or above) your back is stressed by the extra pounds. Prevent or reduce back pain by losing your excess weight by following a healthy diet and participating in regular aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise includes thing such as walking, jogging, swimming, and bicycling. These are all activitities that everyone should do on a daily basis to not only reduce back pain, but to significantly reduce the risk of many types of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

Adapted from FDA Consumer magazine (March-April 1998)