Everyday Habits that Set the Stage for Back Pain
By Sara Butler
Back pain is the most common reason people see the chiropractor. It impacts the lives of 80 percent of Americans at some point in their lives, but what is causing this common complaint? Sure, some people experience back pain due to accidents and injuries, but it’s far more common to experience back pain as a result of something you do every day. Here are some habits that just may be setting the stage for your future back pain.
A Long Commute
How much time do you spend sitting in your car? How, exactly, are you sitting while you’re in it? Your posture while in your vehicle may end your commute in Back Pain City. If you sit hunched over the wheel, shoulders rounded and your chest muscles tight, it can make for big problems down the line.
To fix this make sure you sit close to the wheel with your arms at a 90-degree angle. You want to sit close to the wheel so you don’t have to stretch out to reach it. Also, if you sit too far away it may cause you to have to extend your legs out, and that can put a lot of stress on your lower back.
Your Diet is Less Than Healthy
A good rule of thumb is that eating habits that are known to be good for your heart, your blood sugar and your weight are also good for you back. Research out of Finland has shown that people with back pain are more likely to have clogged arteries to their spine. You need good circulation to your spine in order to supply your spine with the nutrients it needs to be healthy and to remove the waste. If you don’t have good circulation in the spine then it can cause inflammation, and that inflammation can trigger pain signals to your brain ending with back pain.
If you want to eat for a healthy spine, try to follow a diet that will reduce inflammation. Try to avoid processed foods and excess caffeine and increase the good stuff such as whole grains, lean protein, fruit, vegetables, and nuts.
Your Purse is too Heavy
If you have everything but the kitchen sink in your handbag, it might just be killing your back! Heavy bags can throw off your body’s center of gravity and cause muscle imbalances that can lead straight to back pain.
Don’t carry a purse that weighs more than 10 percent of your body weight and try to alternate sides on which you carry the purse.
