Back pain is one of the most common physical conditions in adults today, affecting roughly 8/10 adults in the U.S. at some point in their lives. And despite its commonality, dealing with it can be very difficult, and can make simple day-to-day tasks highly painful. It is therefore important that we are aware of the common causes, so we can work to avoid causing or worsening any back pain. Here are just a few of them.
If you are already suffering from back pain, fortunately, there are plenty of treatment options now available without the need for a prescription. For example, truMedic offer a range of back-relief products, including massagers and muscle-relief gels.
Your Sleeping Habits
A surprising amount of back pain is caused when we are least inactive. Sleep is essential for proper mental and physical health, but doing so in unnatural positions can contort or put unnecessary strain on our spines. This can quickly lead to discomfort, which, if exacerbated, can also lead to chronic back pain. You should be particularly aware of this if you sleep on your stomach. While this sleeping position is rare (around 7% of people sleep this way), it is still a highly common cause of back pain. This is because it does not provide sufficient support for your back, which can potentially severely damage it if not attended to. It is therefore highly recommended that people who sleep on their stomachs use firmer mattresses, to prevent their backs from straining. Alternately, you can now purchase pillows designed to provide additional support. Even if you do not sleep on your stomach, you may find that some of your sleep habits are causing any discomfort, sleeping on old, worn mattresses can also be inadequate for protecting your back, and can be highly uncomfortable to sleep on, too! Springs in traditional mattresses can weaken over time due to repeated pressure, leading to them being unable to provide correct support. You therefore should try to change mattresses roughly every 5-7 years.
Posture
Given the high number of occupations today which require sitting still for long periods of time, it is perhaps no surprise that incorrect posture is another of the reasons why back pain is such a prevalent condition today. Similarly to with sleep, sitting for prolonged hours at a time with your back in a levitated position will potentially damage your spine. That’s why it is important to always make sure to sit back into your chair when working or studying when doing so for long periods. It’s perhaps a cliché, but you should also try to sit straight too, as slacking, slumping, or other types of poor posture can lead to muscle tension, as a result of poor blood circulation. This is among the most common of medical reasons for the development of back pain. If you are especially worried about hurting your back in this way, you could also invest in an ergonomic office chair, for additional support.
Carrying Heavy Items
As any work safety manual will tell you, lifting heavy objects using improper technique can often lead to your back muscles straining, causing a great deal of pain. In this respect, the old adage still applies – you should always bend your knees when lifting heavier items. Not doing so will force you to lean forward, curving your spine awkwardly, and greatly increasing your risk of muscle tension. Similarly, you should avoid carrying overly heavy backpacks and shoulder bags, as these can also inadvertently make you lean forward.
