Do You Know Why Your Back May Be Hurting ?
There are some things you may be doing in your everyday life that you may not realize are contributing to your back pain. Seeing a chiropractor is always the first step in making sure you are aligned, and your body is able to heal itself, but there are other things you can do to lessen your back pain every day. Here are a few things you could be doing that are causing your back pain, or making it worse!
Heavy Bags
If you carry a bag or backpack on a daily basis you might be putting too much strain on your back. And if you are balancing the weight on only one side, this can make it even worse. Try spreading the weight out by wearing a purse on one shoulder and a tote over the other. You want to try to spread it out so that there’s less strain on any one part of your back.
Smoking
Believe it or not, smoking increases your chances of experiencing lower back pain. Studies have been done that say you are about a third more likely to have pain in your lower back if you smoke. The exact mechanism that causes this isn’t really known. But it is known that smoking reduces blood flow to your spine, so that could be a contributor. Quitting smoking is the best course of action for your overall health!
Sitting At a Desk All Day
A lot of people have jobs that put them at their desk for most of the day in front of a computer. The problem is that sitting all day puts more pressure on your back than standing. If you can, buy a standing desk or a lumbar support pillow for your chair. Also, get up and move around one or two times an hour. This will help you not to get locked down in one position for too long, which can contribute to back pain.
High Heels
Sure, these may look great, but they’re terrible for your feet and your back. High heels make your entire body arch back, but flats may not provide enough support either. Either high heels or flats are fine for an hour or two, but it’s best to choose a shoe with an inch-high heel for walking and standing.
If you have any questions about other ways to lessen back pain, talk to your chiropractor. They are the back pain experts, after all!
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Jonathan Chie