While the aging process is equally the culprit behind back pain, there are some lifestyle factors you don’t realize but are contributing to deteriorating back pain. And unlike aging, you can be in control of these lifestyle factors.
Here are those five factors that are putting you at risk for back pain.
- Sedentary lifestyle: Ever since the COVID-19 outbreak started, many of us Americans are stuck to our tables for hours without realizing the need to move around. This puts extra pressure on your spine and can cause pinched nerves and herniated discs. Result? Back pain to an extent that you need to visit the hospital.
What can you do instead?
Install an application on your laptop or phone that will remind you to get up from your seat after every half an hour. Once you do that, stretch your back and climb upstairs. These in-between breaks will keep your spine flexible and your muscles strong. In case you are facing any pain while starting these programs, make an appointment with any of the Spine team Spokane area doctors for the right program.
- Poor posture: Do you slouch a lot at your desk? If your job requires you to sit for prolonged periods ten unconsciously by sitting for a prolonged period, you are straining your muscles that further contributes to back pain.
What can you do?
Use a chair with lumbar support and position your computer screen at eye level to avoid looking up or down. At regular intervals, stand, walk around and bend or twist gently. Try to keep your feet planted on the floor as this will help take the stress off the spine. You can even do specific scoliosis exercises to relieve pain and realign your posture.
- Obesity/Weight: Weight gain and obesity are becoming a global concern. Some studies suggest a relationship between chronic back pain and being obese. When you are obese, it adds strain to your body’s joints and spine. Thus, start to include food that is anti-inflammatory to prevent back pain. It is proven that the right kind of diet and exercise can control pain to an extent.
What to do realistically?
As mentioned above, when you move from a sedentary to an active lifestyle and work towards your posture, you will be motivated enough to work out. Remember the idea is to work towards a healthy weight not according to societal standards as every individual’s BMI, lifestyle, age, and height are different.
- Smoking: If you are a smoker then you must be having chronic back pain as smoking decreases the amount of blood flow to the spine which prevents your body from delivering essential nutrients to the disc in your back. Smoking increases your risk for osteoporosis and degenerative disease. All of these conditions can lead to more pain.
What to do?
Reduce your cigarettes by one every day. It is not recommended to quit smoking instantly as the urge to do so can come back anytime and all your efforts to quit will be futile. Thus, reduce your frequency to the point your mind doesn’t crave it.
- Improper lifting techniques: Many people believe they know how to lift properly and safely. Thus, they are then in disbelief when they injure their back during a “simple” lift.
How should I lift them?
When you lift, do not lift with your back. Before lifting an object, it is imperative to check its weight. Understand your limit and do not lift objects that weigh too much.
So we are saying,
If you fall under one or several of the aforementioned risk factors, don’t let them scare you. Even after identifying the factors that have been causing you back pain and rectifying it with remedies, if you do not find enough relief then it is high time you need to get in touch with the pain management center. You will find various spine team Spokane area that will locate the source of the pain and work towards providing you relief from back pain.
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