Just the Facts About Your Aching Back
By Sara Butler
Almost anything you do has a direct impact on your back and its health. Seemingly innocuous activities such as working in your garden, sinking some putts on the green or bending over to pick up your toddler can cause your back to hurt. Even chores such as washing dishes, taking out the trash or doing some laundry can cause pain in muscles you never knew you had. Literally millions of people suffer from back pain in the United States every year. Most of it doesn’t last long, but some of it can last for months or even years. Here are some of the more common causes of back pain and what you can do to try and avoid it!
The Eye of the Back Pain Tiger
There are several things that can cause back pain. The most common are mechanical issues such as:
- Strains and sprains – When you strain or sprain a muscle or a ligament in your back it can cause sudden pain. If you don’t lift something properly, move suddenly or twist when you’re carrying a heavy load this can cause the injury.
- Sciatica – Your sciatic nerve runs from your lower back across each buttock and down each leg. When it becomes compressed or irritated and inflamed it can cause pain that shoots down the leg all the way to the foot. Sitting on your wallet or having a muscle imbalance in your back can lead to sciatica.
- Disc Degeneration – A normal part of the aging process, disc degeneration is caused by the loss of flexibility in the discs that cushion the bones in your back. When they aren’t able to do their job properly this can lead to some serious pain.
- Trauma – If you fall, have a car accident or take a tumble during a sports activity this can cause back pain too.
Prevention is Key
The good news about back pain is that it’s avoidable, for the most part. There’s always a risk you will be in an accident and receive an injury, but there are things you can do to help reduce your risk of suffering from back pain. You can:
- See your chiropractor regularly – Regular visits to your chiropractor can ensure the health of your spine, plus your chiropractor is always on the lookout for muscle imbalances that may cause a problem down the road.
- If you’re overweight, lose a few pounds – If you can achieve and maintain a healthy weight then you can help reduce your chances of back strain or sprain.
- Think about your posture – If you maintain good posture when sitting, standing and walking it can help you to keep your spine healthy too.
These tips should help to keep your back healthy and your chiropractor proud, but if you have any concerns or questions don't hesitate to ask your chiropractor at your next adjustment at The Joint Chiropractic!