Stand corrected: tips for taking care of your back

For many people, it starts with a small ache while lifting a bag of groceries, or a dull pain when sitting for prolonged periods of time.

The pain associated with back injuries can be caused by many things including muscle strain, sprains of ligaments, joint problems or a “slipped disk.”

The most common cause of low back pain is using your back muscles in activities you are not used to, like lifting heavy items, playing baseball or shoveling snow. Eighty-five per cent of the working population will experience back pain at some point in their lifetime.

Like many musculoskeletal disorders, the pain of a back injury can result from the presence of risk factors in our lives. While some risk factors for back pain may be outside of our control, there are many we can alter to reduce our risk.

These visual tips will help you take care of your back and reduce your risk for back pain.

For more information on how to reduce your risk for musculoskeletal disorders, including back pain, visit the Ontario Ministry of Labour Musculoskeletal Disorders and Ergonomics website.