Back pain is the price a man pays for walking on two legs. In quadrupeds, the weight is evenly distributed on the four limbs and the spine just acts as a beam between the shoulder and the pelvic girdle whereas in bipeds the entire weight of the body is on the lower limbs and is borne by the spine itself.

Spine is not a rigid structure but composed of vertebrae with intervertebral discs, which act as cushions between the vertebrae. These discs are further surrounded by muscles and ligaments, which ensure that undue pressure is not exerted on them.

Pre-Disposing Factors to Back Pain
1. Incorrect posture: Maintaining an incorrect posture is one of the most common factors leading to back pain. Being in the same position for long hours; incorrect posture while lying down, sleeping and sitting; getting up with a jerk and over-stretching of muscles, all contribute to back pain.
2. Obesity: An incorrect weight causes extra strain and pressure in the spine, which results in backache.
3. Sedentary lifestyle: Our life styles are often a potential factor leading to backache. There is absolutely no time for the maintenance of body in our lives.
4. Lack of exercise: Muscles require a proper toning to keep the body flexible and strong. Inactivity and lack of exercise results in a weak body frame, which is more prone to back pain.
5. Stress; physical and mental: Physical and mental stress plays a very important role in aggravating back pain. These days we find so much of stress at home and work place that it becomes difficult to cope up.
6. Unhealthy food habits: Lack of nutrition is a common problem among young people due to their tilt towards junk and fast food. Hence, 5% of young population suffers from back pain.
7. Lack of sleep: uncomfortable bed and late night lifestyle can also result in back pain.
8. Post menopausal and age related Osteoporosis: As we get old, our bones become weaker and the risk of getting a back pain increases significantly.
9. Pregnancy and childbirth: As the fetus grows in weight, it exerts a pressure on the spine, causing back pain. Back pain is a common symptom in women, who undergo a C-section.

Causes of Back Pain
Tuberculosis, trauma, tumor and television!!!!!!

• Tuberculosis: An old age adage in India is “when in doubt think T.B.”. Tuberculosis of spine is very common even in the affluent class, as back pain is often ignored.
• Trauma: Despite of the precautions like seat belts, air bags and helmets; people become a trauma victim. An array of spine injuries is very common in accidents which can lead to a life long backache.
• Tumor: Spine is the commonest site for metastasis deposits of various malignant tumors and back pain is often the presenting symptom of people suffering from cancer.
• Television: We all can smile, once we think how we become crouch potatoes as we come home and keep surfing channels with total disregard to the spine

“Prevention is better than cure” has been drilled into us since we were children. THERE IS NO CURE FOR BACK PAIN, however pessimistic it might sound. But the severity of the back pain can be reduced by:

• Maintaining a correct posture
• Maintaining a correct body weight
• Including exercise routine in your daily life
• Reducing physical and mental stress by the means of yoga, meditation and morning walks.
• Taking a nutritional diet
• Taking proper sleep
• Ensuring proper care and maintenance of the body during menopause, pregnancy and old age.