The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons warns that it's not just industrial workers who face a risk of developing back pain, but also people who take care of an ill or injured person.

In fact, nurses rank second in back-pain injuries among all professions. To lower the risk:

• Plan a lift to minimize back strain.
• Keep whatever you're lifting close to your body.
• Bend at the knees, not at the waist.
• Bend your pride - ask for help to lift something heavy.
• Nearly all adults suffer at least one back-pain episode during their lives. The academy recommends that you give your back a break by:
  • Getting some exercise weekly.
  • Walking, sitting and standing with a straight posture.
  • Watching your weight and stopping smoking.