There is a lot you can do to minimize the stress on your back. Take the Back Pain Risk Assessment to find out your risk. This assessment is based on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)           Page 1 of 3 Pain Intensity I can tolerate the pain I have without having to use pain killers . The pain is bad but I manage without taking pain killers. Pain killers give complete relief from pain . Pain killers give moderate relief from pain. Pain killers give very little relief from pain. Pain killers have no effect on the pain and I do not use them. Personal Care I can look after myself normally without causing extra pain. I can look after myself normally but it causes extra pain. It is painful to look after myself and I am slow and careful. I need some help but manage most of my personal care. I need help every day in most aspects of self care. I do not get dressed wash with difficulty and stay in bed. Lifting I can lift heavy weights without extra pain. I can lift heavy weights but it gives extra pain. Pain prevents me from lifting heavy weights off the floor but I can manage if they are conveniently positioned for example on a table. Pain prevents me from lifting heavy weights but I can manage light to medium weights if they are conveniently positioned. I can lift only very light weights. I cannot lift or carry anything at all.   Page 2 of 3 Walking Pain does not prevent me walking any distance. . Pain prevents me walking more than 1 mile. Pain prevents me walking more than 0.5 miles. Pain prevents me walking more than 0.25 miles. I can only walk using a stick or crutches. I am in bed most of the time and have to crawl to the toilet. Sitting I can sit in any chair as long as I like. I can only sit in my favorite chair as long as I like. Pain prevents me sitting more than 1 hour. Pain prevents me from sitting more than 0.5 hours. Pain prevents me from sitting more than 10 minutes. Pain prevents me from sitting at all. Standing I can stand as long as I want without extra pain. I can stand as long as I want but it gives me extra pain. Pain prevents me from standing for more than 1 hour. Pain prevents me from standing for more than 30 minutes. Pain prevents me from standing for more than 10 minutes. Pain prevents me from standing at all. Sleeping Pain does not prevent me from sleeping well. I can sleep well only by using tablets. Even when I take tablets I have less than 6 hours sleep. Even when I take tablets I have less than 4 hours sleep. Even when I take tablets I have less than 2 hours of sleep. Pain prevents me from sleeping at all.                                  Page 3 of 3 Sex Life My sex life is normal and causes no extra pain. . TMy sex life is normal but causes some extra pain. My sex life is nearly normal but is very painful. My sex life is severely restricted by pain. My sex life is nearly absent because of pain. Pain prevents any sex life at all. Social Life My social life is normal and gives me no extra pain. My social life is normal but increases the degree of pain. Pain has no significant effect on my social life apart from limiting energetic interests such as dancing. Pain has restricted my social life and I do not go out as often. Pain has restricted my social life to my home. I have no social life because of pain. Traveling I can travel anywhere without extra pain. I can travel anywhere but it gives me extra pain. Pain is bad but I manage journeys over 2 hours. Pain restricts me to journeys of less than 1 hour. Pain restricts me to short necessary journeys under 30 minutes. Pain prevents me from traveling except to the doctor or hospital.                              Result                   Strengthening the back muscles, keeping fit by taking regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight can all help to minimize the risk of back pain. Begin here for helpful information about diagnoses, treatments and living with back pain.   Related Links       Experiencing joint pains? You may have osteoarthritis Severe Joint pains? Could be Rheumatoarthritis Get back from Back Pain Figuring out the facts behind the stress       Related Discussions       Exchange tips on managing blood sugar levels Staying Healthy : Getting the right nutrition Staying Healthy : The right fitness regimen How to maintain a healthy weight?