Back pain is a common ailment, affecting people of every age and at any level of health. If you suffer from back pain, it can be difficult to get out of bed some days.

Before you can heal your back pain, you have to figure out what is causing it in the first place. The following are some of the most common causes of back pain.

Smoking

It turns out that smoking does not just harm your heart and lungs—if you smoke regularly, you may also be harming your back. Nicotine actually restricts blood flow to your vertebrae, which can cause your back to break down.

If you quit smoking, you can reduce your back pain and your risk of many other diseases.

Sleeping on Your Stomach

Sleeping on your stomach might seem perfectly harmless, but it can actually put pressure on your spine.

It is better, if you suffer from back pain, to sleep on your back or side. If you must sleep on your stomach, try placing a thin pillow under your hips to reduce some of the pressure.

Being Stressed Out

If you have a lot of stress in your life, it can take a toll on your back. Your body will release the stress hormone cortisol, which can cause your back to tense up.

There are several things you can do to relieve stress in your life like yoga, meditation and deep breathing exercises. If you are still having trouble with stress, you should talk to a therapist.

Traumatic Injury

Often, those who have suffered a back injury in a fall and accident don’t realize the extent of the injury until much later.

Injury specialists from Cummings Andrews Mackay LLP report that back pain as the result of an automotive accident, especially, goes undiagnosed long after the accident.

If you believe your back pain could be the result of a traumatic injury, it’s best to visit your doctor immediately to have the problem treated professionally.

Lifting Things Improperly

If you do not lift items the proper way, you can really hurt your back. When you have to lift an object, bend at your knees and keep the object close to you. While letting your back heal, never attempt to lift something that weighs more than 20 percent of your body weight.

Sitting Too Long

Sitting too long is not good for your back. When you sit for a long period of time, fluid is not able to circulate in the discs in your back, leading to pain.

If you are required to sit all day at your job, you should at least choose a chair that supports your back and try to move around every 20 minutes.

Whether your back pain is caused by lifting improperly, stress, smoking, or sitting, you can fix the problem. If your pain persists in spite of everything, it may be time to visit your doctor.