Back pain is a common occurrence for a lot of us. Regardless of age or profession, it strikes us unexpectedly- after a night’s sleep, in the middle of a workout, while bending down to reach for the mobile phone you just dropped. But as unexpected as it may seem, it probably is a manifestation of an accumulation of habits in your daily life.
We will visit some of the things we do habitually in our lives that actually require a little more thought and care in order to keep our backs healthy.
Here are the Top 5 Bad Habits that you should consider changing.
1. Improper Lifting
Many low back injuries are the result of improper lifting, not just in the gym, but also in our everyday lives.
Remember to:
- Stay in a stable position
- Keep your knees bent
- Keep your back straight as much as possible
- Avoid twisting or leaning sideways.
Read more: Bulletproof Your Back at Work Today.
2. Sedentary Lifestyle
Working or studying at a desk for many hours will cause you to stay in one position for an extended period of time. This fixed posture can cause your spinal joints to stiffen and your muscles to grow inactive.
Pain, stiffness, aches can be a result of this sedentary posture, leading to joint dysfunction. This bad posture can lead to spinal misalignment, especially when repeated daily over a prolonged period of time.
Take a break and stretch your body out every hour. This will keep the movement in your lower back fluid and flexible, and help to prevent your spine from becoming stiff and muscles wearing down.
Download our FREE guide: Exercise and Stretches for a Healthier Life!
3. Bad Posture
Poor posture does not cause immediate pain, but the accumulated stress over many hours sitting in front of a computer, slouching and looking down while reading on your bed, staying long hours in front of your iPad or phone can take a toll on your spine, disc, ligaments, and muscles. Your spine will start to shift out of alignment, causing unnatural stress on your disc, and overworking or underworking your ligaments and muscles.
Related Article: Posture: Top 3 Reasons Your Child Needs to Have Good Posture.
4. Wearing Shoes with Heels
High heels and shoes with heels make you arch your back, unnaturally increasing the curvature of your low back. Your gait may change as your pelvis shifts to compensate for this additional stress imposed on your spine.
As heels cannot be eliminated in our modern-day lives for professional or aesthetical reasons, try to takes breaks when you are indoors by switching into a more comfortable pair of shoes.
That being said, flats may not provide enough support so it is recommended to find a pair of shoes that provide some kind of cushioning to help you absorb the pressure while walking.
5. Not Seeing a Chiropractor
The most important thing you can do to prevent back pain, improve mobility, improve how you’re feeling, and maximize your vitality is to have your spine checked by our chiropractors.
Experiencing back pain may be an indication of a misalignment in your spine. Doctors of Chiropractic specialize in restoring the health of your spine and optimizing your nervous system. And we have an impressive track record in helping people feel better and function better in their lives.
Speak to one of our chiropractic assistants to find out more.
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