Back pain has always been a problem for people yet it has become more prevalent in recent times due to an increased sedentary lifestyle and in particular as a result of spending more time, both at work and at leisure, sitting in front of a computer screen adopting an incorrect sitting posture. There are common causes of back pain and the key is how to simply, yet effectively cure them.

First of all, it is important to understand that back pain is not a specific medical condition in itself. It is one of the consequences of many short and long term medical conditions. Some conditions are found at birth whilst others emerge as a result of lifestyle or undertaking physical activity.

A major factor contributing to the creation of back pain is how in fact the spine moves, or more accurately, how the spine is allowed to move in an incorrect manner. This occurs through the adoption of poor habits over an extended period of time including incorrect posture or sitting positions, which are then difficult to break free from or where the movement of the spine is directly influenced by older age. As a direct result of aging, the discs located between the vertebrae of the spine will start to wither and break down. Obviously the result is a reduction in body flexibility.

There are other conditions that create back pain which have the capability of appearing very quickly and without warning such as muscle spasms, sprains and fractures and can be the cause of short term or longer lasting chronic pain. The body is susceptible to sprains and spasms when inappropriate techniques are used for lifting objects or where too much pressure is placed on the frame and muscles when undertaking physical tasks. This, unfortunately, will result in small tears appearing in ligaments that are essential in the support of the body's spine.

In addition, do not forget that the role of stress can be a major factor in determining how severe the pain is and how long it lasts. Stress can affect the body both physically and mentally with the result being for instance, that back muscles can become tensed up, and thus create the potential for pain and discomfort.

So what measures can be undertaken to achieve back pain relief? Some of the most effective remedies are self administered ones and importantly, natural rather than the sufferer heading for the medicine cabinet to gain the benefit of a short term fix. The results derived from undertaking stretching exercises amazes those suffering from back pain as with a few simple techniques, not just the pain itself is eased, but often also the cause that created the pain in the first place. And for such exercises being self administered and natural, they are hard to beat, not like back pain if you know how.