Work Doesn't Always Have to Keep You in Pain
By Stephen R. Farris
Your occupation could cause hazards to your health, especially when your back is involved.
That being said, most every occupation involves the use of your back, mainly the lower back region. It could be from sitting for long periods, bending, twisting, and even from standing for lengthy amounts of time on hard or uneven surfaces.
When back pain hits -- besides leaving you in agonizing pain -- it can result in lost time on the job, loss of flexibility and mobility, or in worse cases, unable to move at all without some type of assistance. If you work, you're vulnerable, so let's take a look at a few jobs that can put unwanted strain on your back.
Office Work
Office workers usually sit at a desk for long periods of time. This can lead to poor posture, which could lead to lower back issues, or even sciatic nerve pain. If you work in this type of environment you should take breaks in which you get up, walk around, do some stretching exercises, or just about any type of movement to keep your back muscles loose.
Nursing
Nurses tend to work long shifts, sometimes up to 24 hours so it's no wonder they could eventually develop lower back problems, muscle weakness, and/or neck, shoulder, leg, knee, and ankle problems as well. That's why it's important nurses take time to do some stretching exercises during their break to help keep muscles loose and help reduce the strain on the body.
Construction Work
Construction work is usually hands-on and requires a lot of bending, twisting, lifting, and relying a lot on major muscle groups and the upper and lower back regions. When lifting more than 50 pounds, construction workers should get a coworker to help with the task to help save their back. Construction workers should also consider certain exercises to help maintain a strong healthy core as well.
Driving
Driving involves just about the majority of folks around the world. They can be normal, everyday drivers that drive to work or school each day, to long-haul truckers, taxi drivers, or delivery drivers. Sitting behind the wheel of an automobile or truck can put a strain on the lower back, especially the lower lumbar. However, you can make certain seat adjustments to keep your posture in check, or even use devices to help ease the strain on the lower lumbar, upper back, shoulders and neck.
If you work or play, you never know when pain will strike. When it does, visit your local chiropractor for an all-natural, non-invasive, and non-addictive way to get the pain relief you deserve to help keep and maintain your active lifestyle.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Atlanta, Ga.