Back pain is one of the most common chiropractic problems, with the majority of people experiencing it at some point in their lives. Back pain is the third most common reason behind doctor visits in the United States. In today’s digital world, where people are sitting and looking at screens for the majority of their day, either through their job and through digital entertainment, that can increase the risk for developing back pain. Sitting so often can be a significant cause of back pain, as it places more pressure on your spine.
Luckily, back pain is easily preventable. You can have an office job that requires sitting through your day, and still take steps to decrease your risk of developing back pain. This starts with addressing the most common culprit of back pain for people who sit the majority of their days.
Posture
How you sit plays a huge role in your risk of back pain. Poor posture affects your spine, especially if you consistently have it. If you frequently slouch, lean forward, and have your elbows spread too far out from your body, this creates more pressure on your back that sitting in and of itself already does. If you are usually looking down at your phone, holding it to your ear with your shoulder, and not moving, these also contribute. Your head is heavy – if it’s consistently out of line with your spine, this can be hard on your back.
It is difficult to break habits, but especially for something as important as our posture, it is vital to take the necessary steps to improve your posture. When sitting, your head should be lined up with your shoulders, your back straight against the back of your chair, your elbows in closer to your body, and your feet flat against the floor. Merely by adjusting your posture, you can reduce your risk of back pain.
Listen To Your Body
Humans aren’t sedentary creatures. We’re meant to be able to move, which can make jobs that require so much sitting taxing. Listen to your body. Get up and move around every half hour or so. This doesn’t mean you have to do jumping jacks in the office, but just even standing up, going to get a drink or a snack, or taking a little lap around the office can help your body and relieve some of that pressure sitting puts on your spine.
Be More Active
Inactivity like what office jobs create can increase your risk for back pain, especially if you have poor posture. As the previous point mentions, people are meant to be able to move around. This means that a more active lifestyle can be a good preventative measure against back pain, both in that a more active lifestyle means a stronger body that is harder to hurt and in how it can help you maintain a healthy weight, which reduces the stress placed on your spine.
A stronger back means a lower risk of back pain. Stretching and strengthening exercises can assist with this. Swimming, walking, and other aerobic exercises also work to strengthen your body, while exercises like yoga and pilates can help with your balance and stability. It’s generally recommended that the average adult gets 150 minutes of aerobic exercise in a week.
Eat Healthy
Having a healthy diet also helps protect your back. It is good both for keeping a healthy weight and for getting enough calcium and vitamin D. As mentioned above, a healthy weight means less strain on your back. Calcium and vitamin D strengthen your bones, which makes it easier for them to support you and harder to break. Simply by improving your eating habits, you can reduce your risk.
How To Fix Back Pain
If you suffer from back pain and want to know how to fix it, there are several options available to you. Treatment starts with finding the root cause of your pain and then figuring out how to fix it. Chiropractic treatment is among the best for back pain. A chiropractor can make adjustments and perform physical therapies, like spinal decompression therapy, which can help you. They can also guide you through exercises and stretches you can do in order to both heal current pain and prevent more in the future.
Are You Suffering From Back Pain?
Here at Elite Chiropractic, we know how important your back is to your overall comfort and health. We offer specialized treatment to get to the root cause of your pain and help you get back to feeling steady and capable. If you suffer from back pain, we have several treatment options available. If you would like to schedule an appointment or if you have any questions, please contact us at Elite Chiropractic today!
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