Worst Habits That Hurt Your Back

Back pain sends more patients to doctors than any condition other than the common cold.

 

It’s the fifth most common reason for hospitalizations and third most common cause of surgery. And 56% of people with lower backaches say symptoms disrupt their daily routines, including sleep and sex. Talk about a pain in the...back.

 

There are many possible causes of back pain, which means there are also many non-invasive solutions, according to Todd Sinett, a chiropractor and co-author of The Truth about Back Pain. "Back pain is rarely one catastrophic event," he says in the book, "but several situations combining to create pain." And it turns out that some seemingly insignificant everyday habits can take a big toll on your back over time. Here, the top 14 mistakes that may be causing your aches and how to correct them.