Are lower back injuries common?

Are lower back injuries common?

Lumbar (lower back) muscle strains and sprains are the most common causes of low back pain. Muscle strains and sprains are common in the lower back, because it supports the weight of the upper body and is involved in moving, twisting and bending.

What percentage of on the job back injuries are caused by improperly lifting objects Bureau of Labor Statistics?

Indeed, according to a fact sheet from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), “lifting heavy items is one of the leading causes of injury in the workplace.” To be sure, more than one-third of all work-related injuries (about 36 percent) involve harm to the shoulder and/or back that often result from …

What percentage of adults will suffer a disabling back injury?

One-half of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year. Back pain accounts for more than 264 million lost work days in one year—that’s two work days for every full-time worker in the country. Experts estimate that up to 80% of the population will experience back pain at some time in their lives.

Is a bad back a disability?

Qualifying for Disability Due to Back Problems If your back condition, as described in your treating doctor’s reports, matches an “impairment listing” in the SSA’s “blue book” of impairments, you will automatically be approved for disability benefits.

What factors might increase your chances of suffering from back pain?

These factors might put you at greater risk of developing back pain:

• Age. Back pain is more common as you get older, starting around age 30 or 40.
• Lack of exercise. Weak, unused muscles in your back and abdomen might lead to back pain.
• Excess weight.
• Diseases.
• Improper lifting.
• Psychological conditions.
• Smoking.

Which of the following can increase the risk of back injury?

Things that increase your risk for back pain and injury include getting older, having a family history of back pain, sitting for long periods, lifting or pulling heavy objects, and having a degenerative disease such as osteoporosis. Slumping or slouching alone may not cause low back pain.

Is lower back pain considered a disability?

The Social Security Administration has a section on ‘Disorders of the Spine’ in its Listing of Impairments, which is typically used to determine whether back pain is compensable. In order to be considered a ‘disability,’ your back pain must involve, among others, one of the following: Herniated discs. Compressed nerves.

How do you tell if you messed up your back?

What are the signs of a back injury?

1. pain or tenderness (sore to touch)
2. pain that worsens with movement, coughing, sneezing or laughing.
3. stiffness or difficulty moving.
4. difficulty standing up straight.
5. muscles in spasm on either side of the spine.
6. bruising.
7. swelling.
8. pain that radiates down one or both legs.

Which region of the spine is the most common site for back pain?

The lower back—where most back pain occurs—includes the five vertebrae (referred to as L1-L5) in the lumbar region, which supports much of the weight of the upper body.