They play a “key role” in lumbar disc degeneration (LDD), for a long time
suspected of being the number one cause of chronic lower back pain,
according to specialists.
Over the years these discs, which cushion the vertebrae, can end up getting
squashed and bulging out. Bony growths can also emerge from the spinal
column itself. Both are thought to trigger back pain.
Scientists have now found that serious lumbar disc degeneration is inherited
in 65 to 80 per cent of cases.
Dr Frances Williams, from the Department of Twin Research and Genetic
Epidemiology at King’s College London, said: “The impact of hereditary
factors on LDD is remarkably high. In the 70s and 80s the Scandinavians
spent millions looking for all the occupations which caused back pain, but
they couldn’t find them.”
Studies of identical twins who went into different professions - such as truck
driving and being a PE teacher - showed both ended up with similarly bad
lumbar disk degeneration in later life.
Dr Williams said genetic studies did not claim to reveal the whole picture, and said people should still take care of their general health to minimise the chance of back pain, in particular avoiding smoking and piling on the pounds.
She added: "Sitting up straight and exercising won't change the way your discs change, but they might help you develop good muscular strength to keep a pain-free spine and back."
Steve Tolan, a professional adviser at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, said: “We have little control over the genes we are born with, but we can manage how we support our backs in other ways, such as exercise.
“This can prevent an existing condition from getting worse or delay the onset of a hereditary one. The majority of people should be using exercise and a healthy lifestyle to protect their backs against future injury.
“To use an analogy, it doesn’t matter what type of car you have, you still need to keep the engine maintained.”
Dr Williams said genetic studies did not claim to reveal the whole picture, and said people should still take care of their general health to minimise the chance of back pain, in particular avoiding smoking and piling on the pounds.
She added: "Sitting up straight and exercising won't change the way your discs change, but they might help you develop good muscular strength to keep a pain-free spine and back."
Steve Tolan, a professional adviser at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, said: “We have little control over the genes we are born with, but we can manage how we support our backs in other ways, such as exercise.
“This can prevent an existing condition from getting worse or delay the onset of a hereditary one. The majority of people should be using exercise and a healthy lifestyle to protect their backs against future injury.
“To use an analogy, it doesn’t matter what type of car you have, you still need to keep the engine maintained.”
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