In today's fast-paced, sedentary culture

Back pain has become a chronic problem in today's fast-paced, sedentary culture. It may seem that the easiest way to permanent damage would have been the days of heavy farm labor or intense factory work, but, while damage can be caused by overwork, the most frequent causes of damage are improper preparation, a sedentary lifestyle, and inappropriate resting positions. Most instances of back pain are easily preventable with regular exercise, preparing for exertion, planning ahead, and proper sleep. In the unfortunate circumstance of back injury, however, chiropractors have been specially trained to locate and adjust the body back into proper position. To do this, some have special tools and use the pressure points of the body to locate and realign the back; electro-therapies and massage are also used.

The most expected way to back injury is a sudden accident during strenuous activity. Runners, ball players, swimmers, and equestrian riders take particular precautions when preparing for practice or performance to ensure the safety and proper use of their backs. Nevertheless, accidents do happen, often ending careers. These are the types of accidents that make the news when they concern popular and talented participants. An olympic runner pulls a muscle before the race, a horse rider falls over a jump, a basketball player pulls a muscle going up for a basket - these things can happen to the young or old, experienced or amateur.
These types of accidents are the least preventable because they are so unexpected. However, most regular exercisers do learn to take precautions: warming-up, proper stretching, cool-down, and regular practice for proper form help to prevent injuries. Planning ahead for unexpected possibilities and preparing for exercise allows the participant to protect valued muscles. With experience, professional players learn to prepare for more possibilities.

While sudden, unexpected incidents may be a well-known way to injury, simple injuries are far more common. Not stretching before a workout or living a sedentary lifestyle without participating in regular exercise can be the easiest way to back injury. A common office worker who decides to join some buddies for a little exercise may find he is not as fit as he used to be and quickly injure himself. The household man does some do-it-yourself projects, but what seemed to be a simple task turns out to be far more complicated, and finds himself in pain the next day. Overworking unprepared muscles in a workout, straining the body when it is not used to it, or over-extending the back muscles are all some of the factors that can cause back pain due to a lack of preparation.