But some exercise is essential for those who suffer back pain, regardless of how minor.

It's not how much hurt you can stand, by avoiding or by doing the exercise. It's the fact that you do the best you can to stretch portions of your body that will alleviate the pain.

Therapists have one primary rule: do not strain yourself. When you begin feeling discomfort, don't push any further. If you feel pain, quit.

Eight out of 10 people suffer back pain. This isn't always the result of an injury. Poor posture, sitting at a computer or holding a phone under your ear for long periods of time, can cause excruciating and extended back pain.

Much of the time, all these sufferers do is to reach for pain killers, which is like gulping aspirin to relieve a headache without ever doffing the tight helmet. The pills don't get rid of the problem.

There are several sets of simple exercises that will help.

Start by lying on the floor, flat with arms at your sides and legs bent with knees pointing toward the ceiling. Press your spine as flat as possible against the floor as you push your belly button toward it. Hold this for as long as possible -- for a count of 3 to 10. Repeat this, as well as the other exercises discussed here, five to 10 times and adopt this regimen at least three times a week.

From this same position, you can do abdominal crunches. These are excellent because they work on the muscles in the front to your body that help support the muscles in the back. Lie with your back on the floor, bend your knees so you're comfortable and lift your shoulders off the floor as far as you can. Hold yourself up for the count of three.

In the beginning, you may not be able to raise yourself off the floor.

After completing the crunches, stretch your legs out. Lift one foot off the floor and draw a circle with it. Move your foot to the outside, up and over your other leg and back to its starting position. Make the circle as big as you can to get as full a stretch as possible.

After five or 10 repetitions, draw the same circle in the opposite direction. Then do the same with the other leg.

There should be no pain but you should feel a workout in some of the muscles in your hips and lower back.

Roll onto your stomach and draw circles with each leg from this position. Again, don't strain.

Strengthening abdomen and lower back muscles is the best way to reduce back pain.

In addition to crunches, there's a simple stand-up exercise. Place your feet apart and extend your hands out at shoulder width while stretching a towel between them. Tighten your stomach muscles and turn your to the right as far as you can. Again, stop when you start feeling any discomfort. As you spin to your right, pivot your opposite (left) foot but keep your right foot planted.

Repeat this 10 times, then do the same in the opposite direction.

If any of these exercises cause pain, don't do them. If the pain persists, check with your doctor and ask if there is any therapy he or she can suggest.