| Lower back injuries can occur anywhere, anytime | | | | to work or engage in normal physical activity. The |
| and can result from a number of different | | | | limitations brought about by an injury to the back |
| activities, including work, sports, housework and | | | | can limit one's private and professional life, making |
| gardening, as well as being a common injury | | | | work-related tasks and simple household chores |
| following an automobile accident. Work-related | | | | the source of pain. |
| back injuries are the most prevalent and costly | | | | If an injury to the lower back is recent, you may |
| source of injury to American workers. In fact, | | | | need a day or two of bed rest, however rest for |
| back-related injuries are one of the most | | | | lower back pain is now known not to be a cure, |
| common reasons people see their doctor. | | | | as rest can cause the muscles to become stiff. |
| This type of injury can generally happen if your | | | | Improper care and excessive rest of a back |
| work requires difficult postures such as bending, | | | | injury can compound an already existing problem |
| twisting or overextending your body. Diagnosing | | | | and incite more pain, expense, missed work and |
| the cause of a lower back injury is quite difficult | | | | reduced daily functioning with every minute that |
| and challenging because multiple structures in the | | | | passes. A back injury can be devastating, but |
| lower back region can cause pain. If you do not | | | | with patience you can overcome any disability it |
| feel comfortable with the diagnosis don't hesitate | | | | may have caused. |
| to ask your doctor for a second opinion. | | | | Prevention is the best medicine. Preventing an |
| Back injuries are extremely common, and healing | | | | injury to the back is much easier than repairing |
| an injured back can take a long time. A serious | | | | one. The National Institute for Occupational Safety |
| injury to the back can cause permanent damage | | | | and Health believes that the most effective way |
| that will involve years of rehabilitation and severe | | | | to prevent back injury in the work place is to |
| limitations on the type of work you can perform | | | | implement an ergonomics program that focuses |
| safely. Living with back spasms or any other type | | | | on redesigning the work environment and work |
| of lower back injury can drastically reduce the | | | | tasks to reduce the hazards of lifting. The |
| quality of life. Even if a lower back injury is not | | | | ultimate aim in avoiding back injury is to identify |
| initially severe, torn discs or injured vertebrae can | | | | and eliminate potential risks before any injury is |
| result in medical complications that make it difficult | | | | sustained. |