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Back pain usually gets better by itself, but chronic pain can be
disabling. Regular exercise, losing weight and careful lifting
and carrying can help prevent back injuries. Homo erectus came
down out of the trees and stared walking on two legs sometime
between one and two million years ago. It was good news for the
human race just think how hard it would be to take a phone call,
place a bet on the horses, or open a jar of gherkins if we still
got around on all fours. But this gaint step for mankind came at
a price. Standing erect suddenly meant a lot more weight to
carry. Without two arms to bear the weight of the top part of
the body, that extra weight now had to be carried by the the
spine, hips, knees and ankles. No surprise that, ever since,
these weight-bearing joints have tended to give us trouble. But
of all them, it's the spine, especially the lower part, that
bears the greatest stress and is most prone to injury. Add extra
body weight fro