Lower back pain is one of the most frequent causes for individuals to see the doctor or take time off work, and it is a prominent cause of disability around the globe.
Back discomfort may be caused by a variety of factors including bad posture, improper routine movements, weight increase, alcohol consumption, smoking, and more. In certain cases, it may be difficult to determine the source of your back pain since you may not be aware that you are aggravating the situation.
What are the Common Symptoms of Back Pain?
When someone suffers from chronic back pain, they are continuously on the lookout for methods to alleviate the discomfort. However, by just trying any random strategy in an attempt to alleviate your back pain, you may unintentionally make the condition worse. Always consult a doctor to make sure the pain relief strategy is right for you.
The following are some of the most common symptoms of back pain:
● The presence of mild to severe back pain
● Feelings of shooting, burning, aching, or electrical pain in the back
● Discomfort
● Soreness
● Tightness
● Stiffness
What Can Cause Back Pain?
While identifying back pain may be challenging, particularly if you haven’t altered anything about your daily routine, there may be underlying issues that you aren’t aware of that are contributing to your discomfort. Some of these factors include your weight, eating habits, smoking, and your workplace environment. Here are some of the most common reasons of back pain that go unnoticed, as well as how they impact how you feel:
Obesity and Overeating
Obesity, whether it is the cause or a contributing factor in lower back pain, is clearly harmful to the back. The back has a natural spinal curvature that is most useful in a neutral posture as a structure that helps support the body and affect movement.
Any more weight in the stomach pulls the pelvis forward and causes the spine to bend abnormally inward.
This is known as hyperlordosis or swayback. It’s a condition that puts undue strain on the back muscles, which must carry the brunt of the weight.
Exercises that strengthen the lower abdominal muscles may assist to prevent this impact and return the pelvis to its natural position. But, more significantly, losing weight is essential for alleviating back and spine tension.
Poor Posture
In most cases the leading cause of your back pain is due to poor posture, whether that be you are standing or sitting bent over or your workplace is not properly set up, it can greatly affect the condition of your back. Your neck and back muscles are overworked as a result of poor posture. The immune system’s attempts to mend damaged muscles cause inflammation, which may lead to arthritis in neighboring joints over time. Here are a few ways to avoid poor posture that leads to back pain:
Pay close attention to your workspace.
Hold your shoulders and arms at a 90-degree angle as you sit at your desk to work. Place your display at eye level, facing straight ahead. Most people position it so they’re looking downward but this dramatically increases neck strain. Making sure your computer screen is high enough so you don’t have to glance down will prevent any back pain.
Your standing or sitting position.
Standing with poor posture causes comparable neck and back issues. If you work in an office with a standing desk, that’s a great choice. However, you’ll still have to work hard to keep a healthy posture.
Try to move around during the day.
Doctors usually advise that you walk about at work whether you sit or stand. If you can, take a brief break and stroll about every hour or so, or you can alter your movements even if you’re confined at your desk.
Smoking
A relationship has been identified between smoking and chronic pain, according to researchers. People who smoke may have short-term pain alleviation because nicotine causes the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is associated with the sensation of pleasure, in the brain. The alleviation, on the other hand, is just temporary. The fact is that a smoker will almost certainly experience greater discomfort in the long run.
Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for more than three months at a time. It is not only the lungs that suffer as a result of smoking; the whole body suffers from the habit. When the body recovers at a slower rate and organs and other tissues are not working correctly, pain becomes more intense and lasts longer.
Chronic pain is associated with smoking because nicotine and other substances have the power to do the following:
● Blood arteries are constricted, resulting in decreased blood flow to the muscles, bones, and organs.
● Reduce the rate at which carbon dioxide and oxygen are exchanged in the bloodstream.
● The healing process is slowed down due to smoking.
● Blood pressure can be potentially raised.
● Increased weariness is also a side effect of smoking
Conclusion
It’s very possible that being overweight, smoking, having bad posture, or consuming large quantities of alcohol puts undue pressure on your back and spine, which may be extremely painful. The fact that this is the primary explanation does not rule out any other possibilities. If you’re experiencing back pain of any type, you should get it evaluated to see what’s causing it and what the best course of action is for your particular situation.
To learn more about how to properly treat your condition, please contact the Spine Institute of San Diego, and we would be more than happy to assist.
