Back pain is a common medical complaint, partly because you use your back for so many things and partly because pain can happen in so many ways. The good news: sometimes, a change in habits is all it takes to find some relief. Here’s what you can do.>
Back pain is one of the most common reasons for doctor’s visits and emergency care treatment. And almost 10% of American adults suffer from chronic back pain.
Some chronic back pain is due to accidents or sports injuries, but a lot of pain occurs as a result of years of wear-and-tear or overuse. The one thing all back pain has in common: Lifestyle habits can make your symptoms worse.
In addition to offering an array of cutting-edge back pain treatment options at Regenexx Las Vegas, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist Josh Goodwin, MD, helps patients play an active role in their care by enabling them to understand how their everyday habits could be contributing to their pain.
In this post, Dr. Goodwin reviews some of the most common lifestyle factors that play a surprisingly big role in back pain.
Carrying extra pounds
Your back helps support your body weight. If you’re overweight, that means the stress and strain on your back increases, too.
At the same time, extra weight around your midsection can pull your pelvis forward, making lower back pain especially likely. Sometimes, that strain can cause a disc to move out of place or result in sciatica, a common cause of lower back pain as well as discomfort in your buttocks and legs.
Poor posture
“Sit up straight! Don’t slouch!” Almost everyone remembers hearing that at least once as kids. It seemed like nagging then, but it was actually really good advice.
Plenty of people spend a lot of time hunched over their phones or laptops or sprawled on the sofa in front of the TV — and posture is probably the furthest thing from your mind. The problem is that when you slouch or hunch over, you put uneven pressure on your shoulders and spine — typically your upper back or lower back, depending on how you’re sitting or standing.
Over time, that can cause muscle strain and nerve irritation that worsens your pain.
Work habits
Work habits or hobbies can also lead to back pain. Often, that’s due to repetitive activities such as lifting or bending repeatedly.
Sometimes, it’s caused by poor ergonomics, like an unsupportive desk chair or placing your monitor or keyboard at the wrong height for your arms and shoulders. Other jobs or hobbies involve long periods of standing or sitting. All these factors can cause acute and chronic back pain and neck pain.
Not being active enough
When you’re inactive, your muscles can begin to weaken and atrophy, and joints become stiff. You’re also more likely to put on extra pounds, which contributes to back pain.
Regular physical activity improves circulation so the muscles of your back get the oxygen and nutrients they need to stay healthy. In fact, research shows that while sedentary lifestyles are associated with recurring lower back pain, regular physical activity had the opposite effect.
Smoking
Smoking doesn’t just affect your heart and lungs. It takes a toll on your overall wellness, too. That’s due in large part to the effects smoking has on your blood vessels. The chemicals in tobacco products cause inflammation in your blood vessels (and other tissues).
This inflammation makes it easier for sticky plaque deposits to build up, which means your back muscles, spinal discs, and surrounding tissues don’t get the oxygen and nutrients they need to stay healthy and strong. Over time, smoking contributes to weakness in your back, along with an increased incidence of back pain.
Chronic stress
Most people are stressed out or anxious from time to time. But when stress becomes chronic — almost a part of your daily routine — that’s when problems happen.
Chronic stress increases inflammation, a factor in many types of back pain. Plus, it keeps your muscles extra-tense, leading to muscle strain and the aches and pains it can cause. Chronic stress also frequently interferes with sleep, which means your back tissues don’t have the time they need to repair themselves.
Find the solution for your back pain
Your habits can contribute to your back pain, but you don’t have to let back pain prevent you from enjoying your life to its fullest. To learn about the treatment options Dr. Goodwin offers for patients in the Las Vegas, Nevada, area, call 702-986-0921 or book an appointment online today.
