Posted on 16th Nov 2011 @ 12:53 PM

Today in depressing news: Even 20-somethings are now suffering from lower back pain, thanks to the fact that no one, of any age, gets out of their chairs anymore. (Unless it's to go sit on the couch, of course.) A recent study in the UK showed that 62 percent of people aged 18 to 34 suffered from back pain, with half reporting that they'd had pain for at least five years. But why, exactly, are so many young people suffering from back pain?

1. We sit at work.

Increasingly, young people have sedentary jobs that encourage the "sit still" culture that's contributing to back problems. Ask any 22-year-old who's gained weight at his first post-college job: Sitting around all day is hard on your body. Do yourself a favor and pick up an ergonomic chair.

2. We sit at home.

Why go outside when you can order food on the internet, fight zombies on your TV, and read about other people's lives on the internet? Technology is making it easier and easier to be lazy.

3. We don't exercise.

Yes, folks, Americans are exercising less with each passing year. It’s hard to counteract the effects of all that sitting if you don't do much of anything else in your off hours.

What can we do to reverse the trend?

The sad thing is that the only real hope we have of turning things around is to get up and get moving. Although doctors might recommend rest for very short periods of time following an episode of severe back pain, most will want you up and around within 72 hours at most.

Pilates, the Alexander technique, yoga, and other exercise methods that strengthen the core are your best bet for preventing future episodes. Some physicians will also suggest chiropractic or acupuncture for pain relief and prevention.

But the bottom line is that sitting isn't good for you. For maximum health benefits, you'll have to get off the couch.

Image: Profimedia.rs