It's difficult to prevent back pain, but the following tips may help reduce your risk:
do regular back exercises and stretches – your GP or a physiotherapist may be able to advise you about exercises to try
stay active – doing regular exercise can help keep your back strong; adults are advised to do 150 minutes of exercise a week
avoid sitting for too long when driving or at work
take care when lifting – read some safe lifting tips
check your posture when sitting, using computers and watching television – find out how to sit correctly and tips for laptop users
ensure the mattress on your bed supports you properly
lose weight through a combination of a healthy diet and regular exercise if you're overweight – being overweight can increase your risk of developing back pain
Being overweight may not be as unhealthy as it was 40 years ago," BBC News reports. New research has found a body mass index (BMI) of 27 is linked to the lowest rate of death – but someone with a BMI of 27 is currently classed as being overweight. BMI is a score calculated by dividing your weight (usually in kilograms) by the square of your height (usually in metres and centimetres). Currently, a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is classified as being overweight. Researchers looked at 120,528 people from Copenhagen, recruited from 1976 to 2013, and separately compared those recruited during the 1970s, 1990s and 2000s. They were followed up until they died, emigrated, or the study finished. The BMI linked to the lowest risk of having died from any cause was 23.7 in the 1970s group, 24.6 in the 1990s group, and had further risen to 27 in the 2003-13 group. It may be the case that the suggested upward shift in optimal BMI is the result of improvements in preventative treatments for weight-rela...