Prevention It is difficult to prevent back pain altogether, but there are certain steps people can take to reduce their risk of problems:

• Exercise regularly, stretch properly, and avoid sitting for too long
• Maintain a healthy weight, through eating well and staying active
• Take care when lifting, following the old adage to bend at the knees and not the waist to ease the strain
• Check posture when sitting, particularly when using computers or watching television
• Have a supportive mattress on the bed.

Reflective exercise

Take a quick poll among staff, colleagues and customers to fi nd out how they would self-treat low back pain. How does this fit with current recommendations? How could you highlight appropriate self care measures in the pharmacy?