You have back pain. You want to know why. Understandable.

Perhaps if we understand why it happened, we can work out a way to tackle it and prevent it from happening again? Sounds logical.

The common culprits

Ask anyone about back pain, and they will often talk about the same causes:

• Heavy lifting
• Weak core muscles
• Poor posture

The reality, however, is that:

• Lifting weights can reduce back pain and makes our spines more resilient
• Clenching your core increases your chance of experiencing an episode of back pain
• Bad posture just isn't a reliable predictor of back pain

So what does cause back pain?

The list of causes for back pain is too long to go through in any semblance of detail. If we could teach very this idea to people, it would change their outlook on managing such a disabling condition that causes so much fear.

So what do we see in clinic?

• Gardening for too long over a sunny weekend makes the clinic phone ring on a Monday morning. As can other spikes in activity level, such as moving house or suddenly doing more exercise
• Periods of stress, either at home or at work, can contribute to back pain. They can't directly injure your low back, but they sure as heck put the brakes on recovery
• There's also trips, slips, and awkward movements, not to mention grandparents leaping across a room to stop a child's head from hitting the floor. We've seen and heard it all...

Perhaps we should be a little more laissez-faire with regards to how we try to direct the blame for back pain. While some variables can be managed, there are many that fall into the category of "sh*t happens".

How does this attitude help us?

The picture we paint about back pain to those who suffer should be painted with broad strokes.

Activity is good. Too many people blame their office chairs and desks for causing back pain. But furniture can not take an active approach in keeping you healthy. Only you can do that. So do something! Stand up more, demand breaks, prioritise some exercise, even if it's only for 2 minutes.

Too much activity can also be an issue. It rarely causes overt back injuries, but it can sure make backs hurt. Plan some rest to allow yourself to get over a tough challenge. Don't be fearful, but accept that you did a lot when you completed that charity walk or played an extra round of golf.

Eat and sleep. Good nutrition helps support our immune system. And the biggest predictor of a little back pain issue becoming a big one is poor sleep. So prioritise good sleep over the occasional ache and pain that you might feel in the mornings - that will wear off in minutes.

Don't believe the hype about back pain. Sure, it's a big issue across the population. But no one worries about their backs before they have back pain, do they? Try to get yourself back into the state you were before your back started hurting. Ignore the noise about the details of back pain, as mostly, they don't really deserve the blame.

Don't blame, but take control. Change what you can, accept what you can't.