Back ache is a major cause of lost working days and about seventy five percent of the population would complain about having a back ache at some point in time. Out of these most would recover from this pain in about four weeks however one in every five hundred would get severely disabled due to this back ache.

Back aches are of three types the first being caused due to problems with the spongy material which is present between the vertebrae of the spinal column. The second is caused due to the sciatic nerve being damaged and the third is due to muscle pulls in the lower back caused due to specific activity like moving furniture or heavy house work or gardening. Most of these conditions are caused due to our own negligence and if we simply make a few changes then it would be easy to avoid these back aches naturally.

In case of a back ache arising due to slipped disc or due to damage to the sciatic nerve you should consult a doctor before taking any anti-inflammatory drugs or pain killers. Sciatic nerve damage is a common problem in elderly people and anyone above the age of 40 should be cautious with regards to any pain that they notice in their back.

There are some simple things that one can follow to help have a better back and avoid the pain that arises due to back problems. First of all check your body daily in a full length mirror and notice your posture when you stand. In case of any defects in your posture follow a realignment exercise for 10 minutes everyday. Make sure that you maintain a correct posture when you are sitting as well as standing.

Do not slouch while sitting or stand with a hunch and also avoid sitting in the same position for a very long time. If you have a desk job make sure that you are seated in a comfortable working position. Avoid lifting or pushing heavy weights especially if you are not used to carrying weights. Make sure you exercise regularly. Swimming is a great exercise especially for back related problems. Avoid being over weight. Women should avoid wearing high heals for extended periods of time.