The Worst Jobs for Your Back
By Sara Butler
Your work life plays a huge role in your health. Sometimes it's for the better and sometimes it's for the worst. When it comes to your spinal health, there are some jobs that are worse than others. Here are some of the biggest offenders and a little friendly advice from the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic that you can use to keep your job and your spinal health.
Motherhood
OK, so motherhood may not qualify as a career, but it s. From carrying a baby during pregnancy to giving birth, to feeding and lifting another human, being a mother is tough on the back. Luckily, there are a few easy things you can do to help reduce your load. First, buy a diaper bag that is carried like a backpack so the weight can be carried more evenly. Second, pick up your child with the power in your legs and hips, never with the muscles in your back. Finally, make sure to invest in an ergonomic baby carrier that helps you to carry your baby in a way that is a little healthier for your spine.
Auto Mechanic
Working on cars all day, every day, requires a lot of arching, twisting, and bending. This can put your back in a few awkward positions every hour, which can lead to back pain and even injury over time.
To help save your spine, make sure you practice good body positioning. Get as close to the area you're working on as you can and learn how to lift correctly.
Dental Professionals
Dental professionals spend a lot of time working in the same positions. They also must bend and twist their necks and upper backs in order to reach instruments needed for dental procedures. Many dental professionals suffer from neck and back pain.
To help reduce the chances of pain and injury, these professionals should make sure to use proper lighting and magnification that can help to allow them to sit in more natural positions as they work. If they can use chairs with arms that offer support as they work, then that will help even more.
Manual Labor
Any job with the word labor in the title conjures images of shovels and other tools that require a lot of physical exertion. These workers regularly carry very heavy loads and perform repetitive tasks that call for a lot of twisting and bending -- which can be terrible for the neck and back.
If you work in this field, then make sure you wear the right shoes to offer support and explore the possibility of a back brace to help prevent back strain and injuries.
Your job has an impact on more than just your bank account. Make sure to think about all the ways it can impact your health and discuss them with the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Greenville, S.C.