Back pain is perhaps one of the most common health ailments experienced worldwide. In fact, at least 8 out of 10 people will experience a bout of back pain in their lifetime.
With such a high chance of being at risk, it is important to educate yourself on how back pain is caused and implement strategies to lessen the odds of suffering.
While medical experts have yet to pinpoint exact origins of back pain, they have identified at least twelve common triggers of back pain with three easy and efficient ways to reduce the risk of severe injury and prolonged discomfort.
The twelve common back pain triggers are:
- Handling heavy loads
- Awkward body positioning (think slouched on the couch!)
- Handling or lifting objects too far from the body
- Handling small children
- Handling live animals
- Unstable loading
- Moderate to vigorous physical activity (or no physical activity at all)
- Sexual activity
- Injury from a slip, trip, or fall
- Alcohol consumption
- Distraction
- Fatigue
Three Ways to Prevent Back Pain and Discomfort
While those twelve triggers are certainly not the only causes of back pain, they tend to be the most common among everyday people. From distracted and mechanized lifting, loading, and unloading to a wiggling toddler who just won’t quit squirming, there are multiple ways throughout the day to add unnecessary strain on our backs.
But the fact of the matter is, these everyday activities sometimes just can’t be avoided. I’m sure any parent with curious children can attest to this. The good news is there are four simple strategies you can use that will help put your body at ease and lower your risk for back pain:
Prepare your body with a warm up
Who said stretching was solely just preparation for physical exercise? If you find yourself about to lift heavy boxes (the perils of moving day!) or changing a tire on your car, prepare your body with some light physical movements.
Try stretching or running in place. This signals your body and muscles to anticipate movement, giving you more flexibility for the task beforehand. Plus, the sudden burst of energy can help bring about focus and aid against distraction.
Do your best to avoid repetition
Keeping your posture or your body in one position can really strain your muscles. When these muscles become strained and overused, then back pain ensues as a result. Do your best to change it up during physical activities. The key here is to avoid putting prolonged stress on any one given area of the back and allowing your muscles to recuperate.
Always listen to your body
Most of us can subconsciously sense when we’re uncomfortable, however, so many of us ignore these internal warnings. You might be even telling yourself to “power through it,” but do yourself and your back a favor by swallowing your pride.
When your body has alerted you that enough is enough, take a break or seek some help. You may even want to try to adapt to your surroundings and provide your body with additional comfort. Find the position that works best for you with the task at hand. So, if you find yourself beneath the sink repairing a leaky pipe use a cushion and determine the most comfortable position that will still let you get the job done.
Consider visiting a chiropractor
If you find yourself experiencing prolonged back pain, then maybe you should consider visiting a chiropractor. These trained professionals can help assess the pain you’re experiencing and provide quality care and knowledgable answers to any questions you might have.
You’ll definitely feel rejuvenated after a few sessions and they are likely to help you develop effective strategies to avoid unnecessary physical stress on your back that are tailored to your lifestyle.
