As many of us unfortunately know, back pain can be brought on by a multitude of activities: the over-reaching slam dunk of the weekend warrior, too many twists and turns while planting those petunias, picking up a toddler without remembering to bend at the knees, or perhaps trying to recapture that lost youth in Friday night’s wheelchair tango contest.

But doctors also note that the following major factors increase the chance of having lower back pain: age, lack of fitness, poor health, psychosocial problems, smoking, alcohol or drug abuse, and major scoliosis.