Lower back pain is one of the most common medical complaints in the modern world. And it's not confined to the elderly. A half of all working Americans admit to suffering from back pain every year.

So why is it so common?

Blame it on your ancestors. No, not your grandparents but those forebears from millennia ago who started to walk upright. Walking erect helped man rule the planet but at the cost of a tremendous strain on the supporting muscles and tendons.

Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to relieve your back pain.

Eat well. Especially good here are grapes and fish.

Grapes contain resveratrol, an anti oxidant which reduces inflammation.

Certain fish, salmon and halibut for example, are extremely rich in omega 3 fatty acids which have inflammation reduction properties.

Lose weight. This is a no-brainer. The more weight your back has to bear, the greater the strain and the greater the chance for pain.

Take regular exercise. Another easy one. The stronger your back, the better it can support you without strain.

Swimming is one of the best exercises for the back as it's gentle and steady with no jarring motions. It's the perfect exercise for strengthening a back which is still sore.

Yoga is another routine made for healthy backs. It's another gentle regimen that involves a lot of stretching and holding postures that loosen the tendons and firm up the muscles of your back.

If you're in pain or weak, you could try walking. This is another gentle exercise with many benefits. Walking for a few weeks can build up your fitness level until you're ready for more rigorous exercise.

Finally, look at ways to improve your posture in your everyday life.

Most of us spend a lot of our time sitting. The trouble it that most chairs are not designed to offer the right support for your spine. To solve this, slip a simple lumbar pillow between the small of your back and the chair to instantly give the needed support.

Lower back pain drastically reduces the quality of life. But it needn't be a problem if you do things right.