It used to be widely assumed that causes of lower back pain were limited to rigorous labor, poor posture, or old age. In 2015, there is a whole new bevy of culprits causing people to grab their backs and wince in excruciating pain.

A recent report indicates that a whopping 1.5 billion people affected by lower back pain worldwide, so you are not alone. Experts estimate that about 80% of all people will suffer from some type of back pain at some point in their life.

As technology has changed the way people live their lives, new causes of lower back pain have been reported. It’s important to know why you’re having back pain so a surgeon or physical therapist can properly diagnose and treat you. Here are three surprising causes of lower back pain that may be contributing to your chronic suffering:

1. Your office chair: Also included in this category is the seat of your car or a favorite chair that you spend a lot of time in at home. Sitting in one position is terrible for your back and puts tons of pressure on your spine. Taking breaks from your desk to stretch and walk around can help in preventing lower back pain.

2. Smoking: Believe it or not, yet another negative consequence of smoking cigarettes has been discovered. Smoking decreases the blood supply to your back, causing premature aging of discs. It can also make your brain more “numb” to the true level of pain your body is experiencing, preventing you from seeking treatment until permanent damage is done.

3. Talking on the phone: America’s favorite pastime is a major cause of lower back pain that you may not be aware of. Many people like to hold the phone between their ear and shoulder, which curves your spine and puts added pressure on it. Texting can also cause back and neck pain if you find yourself slumped over the phone for hours on end.

If you can’t immediately get to a physical therapist or a doctor and just can’t take the pain anymore, acetaminophen is often used to reduce lower back pain. To completely fix the problem, make sure you seek professional help to find out what is causing your pain and discuss the treatment options that are best for you. Learn more.