More than 80% of all individuals in the United States will experience back pain at least once in their lifetime. Unfortunately, that back pain usually reoccurs, and some individuals develop chronic back pain (defined as back pain that lasts for more than 3 months).

We all know that physical activity is great for maintaining a healthy heart and lungs, but did you know that a recent study in the American Journal of Public Health by Hurwitz, et al. (2005), demonstrates that recreational physical activity has a positive effect on low back pain by reducing pain and disability related to back injury, and improves overall psychological health?

Read the entire column at http://www.ncpad.org/361/2051/Back~to~the~Basics-Strategies ~to~Maintain~a~Healthy~Back .