Back pain is one of the world's most common ailments, afflicting most people at least once in their lifetime. There are several types of back pain and various options for back pain relief. Back pain becomes more likely the older we get due to the degenerative effects of aging. However, lifestyle choices and correct posture can make a huge difference in our chances for developing serious back pain.

Lower back pain is the most common type of back pain. One study reported that in the United States alone low back pain was responsible for the loss of 93 million workdays per year, with a health care cost of more than five billion dollars. Low back pain is most often caused by some sort of injury or overuse of your muscles. Most lower back pain clears up on its own in a few days. Rest, hot or cold compresses and over-the-counter medications are usually the only treatment required to provide low back pain relief.

Middle back pain can result from injury that strains the muscles or ligaments. This can occur when you've engaged in excessive exertion or heavy lifting. Middle back pain can also be caused by spinal conditions or other internal conditions. Any middle back pain that lasts longer than a few days or which is accompanied by other symptoms could be warning you of a serious condition. You should seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Upper back pain is fairly uncommon, though not unheard of. The upper back is actually quite different from the lower back both in the way it's put together and the functions it's designed to perform. The upper back is normally very strong. The strength of our upper back is how we are able to stand upright. It's also designed to provide protection for the vital organs located in our chest area. The upper back is extremely stable and has only limited mobility. This is why injuries and degeneration are rare in the upper back area. When upper back pain does occur, it's normally due to irritation of the muscles or joint problems. Herniated discs in the upper back region are extremely rare, though not impossible.

Chronic back pain is defined as back pain that has lasted for twelve weeks or longer. Chronic back pain can be irritating for some and agonizing for others. In some cases, the severity of chronic back pain makes normal life nearly impossible. As many as five million Americans report at least a partial disability due to chronic back pain, and an additional two million face pain so severe that they are unable to work.

Lifting heavy items improperly is the most common cause of back pain. Always remember: "lift with your legs, not with your back." Most medical professionals recommend sleeping on your side. A firmer mattress is better than a soft one. For added comfort, sleep with a pillow between your knees. When you reach for something on the ground, squat down to pick it up instead of bending at the waist.

Stretching exercises and maintaining flexibility is the best prescription for avoiding serious back pain. Your doctor should be able to recommend some good exercises. Surprisingly, you should also work to strengthen your abdominal muscles. Strong abs will reduce the strain on your back.

There's always the possibility that accidents will happen, and no one can avoid aging. But with attention to posture, caution when lifting and minor lifestyle changes, you should be able to significantly reduce your risk for severe back pain.