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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Factors that increase your risk of developing low back pain include:

  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • Older age
  • Being female
  • Physically strenuous work
  • Sedentary work
  • Stressful job
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
Preparing for your appointment Causes
References
  1. Devereaux M. Low back pain. Medical Clinics of North America. 2009;93:477.
  2. Wheeler SG, et al. Approach to the diagnosis and evaluation of low back pain in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 17, 2009.
  3. Kohatsu W. Low back pain. In: Rakel RE. Integrative Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/175588812-4/930351402/1494/110.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2954-0..50067-3_3269. Accessed Dec. 17, 2009.
  4. Knight CL, et al. Treatment of acute low back pain. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 17, 2009.
  5. Last A, et al. Chronic low back pain: Evaluation and management. American Family Physician. 2009;79:1067.
  6. Chou R. Subacute and chronic low back pain: Pharmacologic and noninterventional treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 17, 2009.
  7. Yoga for health: An introduction. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/yoga/introduction.htm. Accessed Dec. 17, 2009.
  8. Low back pain fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/backpain/detail_backpain.htm#119483102. Accessed Dec. 17, 2009.
  9. Laskowski ER (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 26, 2009.
DS00171 Feb. 9, 2010

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