Weak muscles lead to bad backs.

This year, approximately 6,000,000 individuals will see a doctor because of back-related conditions, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Four out of five adults are affected at some point in their lives.

The key to avoiding becoming a part of these statistics, indicates Robert Green, a Salt Lake City, Utah, physical therapist and a member of the board of the National Exercise for Life Institute, lies in two words--exercise and strength. "Each week I see several patients who have injured their backs due to a severe accident or work incident. But the majority of people who seek advice for their back problem could have prevented it. Their weak back is usually the result of a sedentary lifestyle and poor body mechanics, which have contributed to weak muscles."

The spinal column is composed of a complex system of muscles, ligaments, and joints which all work together to provide support. There are four sets of muscles that support the spine. Abdominals hold in the internal organs and contribute to good posture. They also assist the extensor muscles of the back, which run the full length of the spine to help maintain proper alignment of the vertebrae. The hip and buttock muscles help support and govern the back's position while sitting, standing, or walking. When these muscles are strong and toned, the back is well-supported and well-protected.

"Too many adults, however, have let these muscles lose tone and become deconditioned. Their head juts forward; their shoulders sag and their chest sinks...