The Bad Habits that Cause Your Back Pain
Back pain is a common problem. In fact, aside from the common cold it’s the condition most people see a health care professional for! It tends to put a cramp in your daily routine, and while it’s true that some back pain is to be expected as you age, there are habits you may have that are bringing the pain!
Your Daily Commute
If you spend a while behind the wheel getting to and from work every day, then your posture in the car could be causing you problems. When you hunker down over a steering wheel, it can tighten your chest muscles and cause your shoulders to round. Bad posture in this respect can make you feel less energetic and cause back and neck issues. So, in the car make sure you think about your posture. Sit at a 90 degree angle, and sit as close as you comfortably can to the wheel so you don’t have to stretch. The more your legs are extended, the more your back can be compromised.
At Your Desk
Have you heard that sitting is the new smoking? It’s been discovered that sitting for a majority of your day is really bad for your health overall, not just your back. In fact, it puts 40% more strain on your back to sit than to stand. You need to take frequent stretching breaks to keep your body mobile so that your muscles don’t weaken. If you don’t stay active throughout your day, it can cause your joints to lose lubrication and that will make them age more quickly. Talk to your chiropractor about ways to make your work space better for your back.
Relax
You need to make time for yourself so that you can rest and rejuvenate. It can be difficult with the demands of daily life, but it is a fact that stress can trigger back pain. If you’re stressed then your whole body can tighten, and that can lead directly to back and neck pain. Work in ways to center and calm yourself through the day. You can try breathing exercises or meditation – whatever works best for you. Just do something to help you keep in touch with the amount of stress your under and try to fix it!
Work It
Exercise, exercise, exercise! If you’re skipping your 30 minutes of exercise a day then you need to try to work it in. Go for a walk if nothing else! When you get your body moving it has been proven to help your back pain resolve quicker and improve your condition. So, get your body moving!
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Emily Abrams