When your back is in pain, it can affect almost every aspect of your life. Read on to find out more about some causes of back pain you might not have thought about. Make sure to consult your pain doctor in Orange County for proper treatment.
Lack of Exercise
Exercise tones the muscles, allowing them to better support your back and keep you pain-free. An overly sedentary lifestyle can lead to back pain symptoms. Aim to exercise two to three times a week and focus on exercises that strengthen the abdominal and back muscles to avoid lower back pain. Add some yoga and stretching as well to improve alignment and relax muscle tension.
Slumping your Shoulders
Poor posture can cause a variety of back pain. For proper posture, your ears should be over your shoulders, your shoulders over your hips, and hips over your ankles. Leaning your head forward and/or slumping your shoulders while sitting contributes to muscle spasms and puts pressure on your nerves. Try to always keep good posture in mind.
Lack of Mobility
Sitting in one position for an extended period – whether you are sitting in an office chair, in the driver’s seat, or in a movie theatre – can lead to back pain. We are meant to be mobile creatures; get up every hour and take a short walk to avoid back pain.
Worn Out Shoes
Even a sensible pair of shoes can lead to back pain if the soles are worn out! So, be sure to swap out your old shoes for new ones regularly. Also, pay attention to arch support in particular – shoes without proper arch support can affect your gait, creating problems and pain in your neck as well as your back. Consult your pain doctor in Orange County about the best type of shoes or insoles for you.
An Old Mattress
For most people, a semi-firm or firm mattress is best, especially with a soft pillow top that cradles the body. Memory foam is an especially smart option because it forms to your shape while maintaining firm support. If you sink in when you lie down, that means it’s time to get a new mattress.
An Unsupportive Bra
Women with large breasts carry more weight in the front of their bodies. This can throw off the curve of the spine, leading to upper back problems. Wearing a bra that provides proper support will keep the weight closer to the body, minimizing back pain and improving posture.
Heavy Bags or Chunky Wallets
When you balance the weight of a purse, backpack, or a chunky wallet in a back pocket, it can change the curve of your spine and lead to back pain. A bag on your shoulder puts strain on your neck as well. A good tip from doctors is to clean out your purse or wallet regularly to reduce their weight as much as possible. Also, try to switch the sides of the body that you carry them on.
Smoking Cigarettes
Yet another reason to quit smoking: it deprives cells all over your body of oxygen, which weakens muscles and ultimately leads to back pain. Researchers have found that smokers have three times the chance of developing back pain compared to non-smokers (according to a study published in 2014 in Human Brain Mapping.)
Stress and Depression
Pain is an emotion as well as physical feeling, and you can feel stress in your mind as well as your body. Back and neck pain, muscle tension, and headaches are all warning signs of stress and/or depression. A study published in 2016 in General Hospital Psychiatry found that depression was significantly associated with back pain. “Managing stress with exercise, eating right, getting enough sleep, meditating, and talking with friends and family can help you relieve both stress and back pain.”
Visit Centers of Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine to see the leading pain doctor in Orange County. Highly qualified pain specialist doctors and physician assistants use a wide array of medical treatments and therapies to help you live your life to the fullest. CRPM offers highly personalized care tailored to your specific case history. Contact CRPM Today!
