If you ever find yourself shifting around uncomfortably because your back is hurting, you’re not alone. Back pain is a very common ailment that makes working and living an active life difficult.
Because there are so many different reasons you might find yourself struggling with back pain, it’s important to take a careful look at your lifestyle to find the best way to alleviate your discomfort.
This is probably the most common cause of back pain. If your job requires you to sit at your desk on your computer, it’s easy to find yourself slouching. Unfortunately, poor posture is a strong contributing factor to back pain.
If you find your back aching after a day at the office, look into other options. Try a standing desk or adding lumbar support to your chair. Take frequent breaks from sitting to stretch your muscles out with a walk around your office.
Slouching and sitting still for long periods of time can damage the discs in your back. When a disc is injured or strained, it puts pressure on the nerves surrounding it. That causes the sharp pain that can make working so uncomfortable.
You don’t even have to lift something too heavy for you—lifting anything incorrectly has the potential to strain the muscles in your back and cause discomfort. Twisting around awkwardly, bending over to lift with your back instead of your legs, and simply not paying attention to how your body is moving can contribute to acute back pain.
To avoid this kind of back pain, always be aware of how your body is moving. If you have to bend down to pick up an item, bend your knees to kneel instead of bending over at the waist. The extra focus this requires is a small price to pay to prevent back pain.
If you can’t quite put your finger on when your back started to hurt, you might have an underlying medical condition causing your back pain. Arthritis sometimes attacks your spine, narrowing the space around your spinal cord. Osteoporosis can cause compression fractures that cause pain.
If you’re suffering from chronic back pain, it’s important to see your doctor about your concerns. A doctor will be able to look at your symptoms and provide the necessary tests—such as an X-ray or a CT scan—and review appropriate treatment options.