Fortune highlights why your back may hurt and what you can do to help relieve this pain. 

Back pain can be caused by simple muscle strain, or an underlying condition like kidney stones, endometriosis, or cancer. Chronic back pain, especially in middle age, can develop for several reasons, including degenerative disc disease, nerve root irritation, arthritis, or a slipped vertebra, according to Nicholas R. Beatty, DO, RMSK, physiatrist at HSS. 

Pain seems to occur slightly more often in women than in men, which could be due to anatomy, biology, or a combination of factors, including a person’s environment or job function,  Bending, twisting, lifting, walking, or even standing can make it worse. Many middle-aged adults are also “weekend warriors” who are relatively inactive Monday to Friday, then very active on the weekends. This increases the risk for sprains, strains, and disc injuries.

Then there’s ergonomics. A too-soft mattress, poor posture, an unsupportive chair, hunching over the laptop or phone, and a sedentary lifestyle may all contribute to ongoing pain. Psychological distress—chronic stress, anxiety or depression—can make mechanical back pain worse and be a source of back pain itself, according to Dr. Beatty.

“Personal beliefs about back pain and anxiety-related fear of moving when in pain can heighten the pain intensity and make the pain stick around longer,” Dr. Beatty explained.

Read the full article at fortune.com.