BACKGROUND

Your Back Supports Your Entire Body.

It is a complex system consisting of:

• Vertebrae, which are solid blocks of bone that form the backbone and provide stability to the upper body
• Disks between the vertebrae that act as cushions or shock absorbers
• The spinal cord, which controls all activities below the neck
• Nerves that send information to the brain and orders to the muscles
• Muscles that produce motion in all directions and are attached to the bones with tendons

Overview of Back Injury

Back pain does not discriminate. It can strike anyone at any time. About 80 percent of all people will experience at least one bout of back pain in their lifetime.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics [BLS] reports that back pain is the single most common repetitive stress injury in the workplace. According to the BLS, back injuries account for one of every five injuries and illnesses in the workplace. Back pain accounts for more than 100 million lost work days each year. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons reports that four out of five adults will experience lower back pain sometime during their life.

You are most at risk for back pain if your job requires you to lift heavy objects, drive a truck or remain sedentary for long periods of time.