Back pain is one of the diseases which is known for a long time but now it has become more popular. With today's jobs demanding long distance travel and long hours at computer, back pain has become the second most popular symptom related disease for a visit to a physician and work absence. Luckily the experts across the world have identified a few major risk factors for low back pain. They are either work related or individual specific which can be reversible or irreversible. Having multiple risk factors means you are at a high risk for developing low back pain.
Here are some major risk factors in detail:
- Work Related Risk Factor: Heavy manual work that demands lifting, bending, twisting, repetitive moments can be one of the reason to cause back pain. The National Research Council recently conducted rigorous epidemiologic reviews of the literature and have concluded that there is a clear relationship between back disorders and physical load imposed by manual material handling, frequent bending and twisting, physically heavy work, and whole-body vibration. In order to address this problem, several measures are being taken to modify the workplace ergonomically. Postural training, back care programs have been conducted in order to prevent back problems.
- Individual Risk Factor: Numerous literature reviews associate many individual (personal) factors with risk. Some of the most frequently cited risk factors are age, smoking, genetics, and individual psychosocial factors (anxiety, distress, and personality). A few experts claim that these individual factors "set the stage" for physical factors to become more potent risk factors for some workers.
- Age: Several studies report that changes in vertebral column occurs with age. A low back disorder typically starts at a relatively young age with the highest frequency of symptoms occurring between the ages of 35 and 55. It is said that Intervertebral disk begins to shrink with aging. For women after menopause the bone tends to lose density thereby increasing the risk of sciatica (pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the leg caused by general compression and/or irritation of the sciatic nerve), compression fracture etc. Recent studies have shown a link between age and spinal instability indicating that there are associations between muscle control and risk that change over time.
- Gender: Gender is also a factor in determining who experiences low back disorders. Majority of studies have concluded that, when occupation is considered, men are at a higher risk of low back pain than women. However, there have also been few studies that have reported women at higher risk. Gender differences may be a result of differences in lifting patterns and work methods between males and females.
- Anthropometry: Anthropometry is the study of the physical size, shape, and mobility of people. Several studies have explored the relationship between physical body dimensions and low back pain. One report suggests that the risk of low back pain increased for men who are over 180 cm and women over 170 cm tall compared to those 10 cm shorter. Also those with greater body mass are at a greater risk. Greater body mass promotes early degenerative changes in weight bearing joints and spinal structures leading to back pain. Studies have shown that there is a strong correlation between obesity and low back pain. Leg length discrepancies have also been considered as an individual risk factor for low back pain.
- Fitness: Exercising regularly is always good and studies have reported that a monotonic relationship exists between increased fitness/strength and a reduction in low back pain. People who live overly sedentary lifestyle have poor fitness parameters, and thus, these people are at higher risk of back related problem.
- Alcohol: Though the role of alcohol in association with back pain has not been well established, there are some studies that have shown an increase in low back pain with increased consumption.
- Smoking: Numerous studies suggest a positive link between cigarette smoking and low back pain. They suggest that smoking interferes with nutrition and oxygen delivery to the spinal structures, and thus, affects the spine health. It is also said to increase the risk of spine damage, disk degeneration, sciatica etc.
- Heredity: Recent investigations have reported that between 30 percent and 39 percent of back problems could be associated with genetic factors. According to one study disk height and disc bulge was all related to heredity.
- Social Class and Psychological Factors: Apart from these common factors, the social class has been observed as a potential risk factor for low back pain. Experts state that men belonging to low or intermediate social class, or in other words blue collar societies, have been associated with increased rates of hospitalizations for disc herniation. This can be attributed to their work nature which involves heavy manual work such as lifting. However, psychological distress has been associated with increased reports in women. Mental stress has been associated with sciatica in some patients.
A literature review has demonstrated associations between low back pain and organizationally based psychosocial risk factors. These psychosocial factors include high job demands, low decision latitude/control, low social support at work, and low job satisfaction. - Injury to the Back in Past: Sometimes injury in the past can act as a risk factor despite recovery for recurrence. So, it becomes mandatory to take special care while lifting heavy weight, and avoid jerky and repetitive movements.
Apart from these, other risk factors may include pregnancy, back surgery in past, congenital spinal problems, prolong use of steroids etc. These risk factors suggest that back problems are multidimensional in nature. Though many researches have been able to point out some of the risk factors, we are still not very much clear about the intricacies involved in risk factors. But there is no negating that the awareness of these risk factors can play a major role in prevention of back pain and in today's date prevention is best insurance.
