Tapio Videman says back disorders in the working population are among
the most costly illnesses in developed countries around the world. Disc
degeneration is the main suspected origin of severe back symptoms and
the main target in spine surgery. But Videman, a researcher in the
University of Alberta's Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, wants to
dispute the common perception that disc degeneration is caused by
physical loading, the pressure put on the spine that comes with, for
example, frequent lifting. Videman's research team found that more
physical loading may in fact slightly delay disc degeneration as it's
known to be good for the bones, muscles and tendons.
