Occupations, either very physically demanding or very sedentary, tend to increase the risk of back problems. Those working in jobs involving heavy manual labor take significantly more time off work because of back issues. Many have to wear a back brace for much of the time.
People whose professions involve exposure to vibrations, such as jack hammer operators, are also at increased risk for back pain. Caretakers, whether salaried, tending to elderly parents or young children at home, also run an increased risk.
Of the 9 million working women with back pain, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, about one-third attributed the pain to work-related activities or injuries, with the figure rising to more than one-half among women employed in service or blue-collar occupations.
Sedentary occupations also add to the likelihood of back pain and herniated disks. Not only will the lack of physical activity take its toll on muscle condition, or none-condition, but the very act of remaining seated for hours at a time exerts significant pressure on the back.
An orthopedist can order physical therapy to decrease your back pain and offer protective and corrective devices, such as back braces, to aid healing in joints and bones. Orthopedists can also prescribe drugs, such as steroids, muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory medications as well as pain killers. They can also order tests to determine if you are a surgical candidate.
However, a good orthopedist will only use surgery as a last resort. They will be able to tell you any physical exercises or other forms of treatment to try. The chances are very good that your orthopedist will help you restore your quality of life and live as pain-free as possible. If you follow the directions of the orthopedist, you should be able to live a fairly normal pain-free life.