Millions of Americans suffer from back pain, but new research says some of us are much more likely to experience it than others.

NewsChannel5 reports intensive care nurse Bernadette Priebe can literally say her job is a pain.

"I've had lower back pain most of the time I've been in nursing," Priebe explains.

WEWS reports while as many as 85 percent of Americans will experience back pain sometime in their lives, orthopedic surgeon Gunnar Andersson says some lifestyles and professions put people at increased risk. Nurses are one group.

"They need to support patients. They need to move them around in bed and they often have to do this in awkward positions, in small, cramped rooms," Andersson says.

And he says professional drivers face similar problems.

"When you drive, you have the vibration from the truck or vehicle that you are driving, and that causes strain to the back," Andersson explains.

But back pain doesn't always strike according to profession. If you're between the ages of 25 and 45, you too, are a prime candidate.

"They are the ones that are running. They are the ones that workout on a daily basis. They are under a tremendous amount of stress in their jobs," osteopath David Zeiger says.

But there are things we can do to keep back pain from causing more problems: bending at the knees, exercise and drive with your car seat closer to the steering wheel for better posture.

According to Andersson, most back problems disappear within a couple of weeks. If you've been suffering for longer than that, seek medical advice, many treatments are available.

For More Information:

• Back Pain Answers
• The Back pain Resource Center
• The Back And Body Center