Pain in the lower back is usually caused by muscle strain or trauma. The pain can develop anywhere in the lumbar, or lower, region of the back, and can either be confined to a small area or can spread across a wide area of the back. When you twist, compress or otherwise strain your lower back, you get a backache. The good news is that seventy percent of people with back pain usually recover within a month, and about half the people afflicted with chronic back pain return to work, according to the American College of Rheumatology. Turns out that your mother was right when she told you to stop slouching.
Poor posture plays a significant role in causing back pain.
When you force your body to remain in the same position for long periods of time, it becomes tense and fatigued. When you slouch or lean with your head, your limbs are stretched in an awkward, unnatural position, and your run an increased risk of injuring yourself. Instead of slouching or leaning with your head, use your hips to rotate your upper body forward. To avoid slouching, sit against the back of a comfortable, firm chair. Keep your spine aligned in a neutral position, and keep your shoulders relaxed.