The good news is that lower-back pain usually goes away on its own within a few weeks. If the pain lasts more than a month, or if you experience numbness, tingling or weakness in your leg, you should check with your doctor. But people are not powerless to prevent back pain. Because poor posture, lack of muscle tone and excess weight, especially around the middle, can cause back pain, exercise is an important preventive measure. A program combining strength, flexibility and cardiovascular training at least three to five times a week, for 20 to 30 minutes, will keep the muscles that support your back strong and flexible.
Smoking is also a risk factor for back pain.
Smoking decreases blood flow to the discs in your back, and decreased blood flow to that area makes it more likely that you will have lower-back pain. It may also take you longer to recover. Along with healthy living, a dose of common sense is good for the back. Never try to lift or move anything that is too heavy. Your neighbor may appreciate you trying to push his Cadillac out of a snow bank, but your back won't.