Back pain is a common ailment that many Americans suffer from; it’s so common that it’s ranked #2 in terms of its rate of occurrence? Most of our daily routines involve habits that inevitably lead to back pain. Read on to see the 6 everyday habits causing back pain. You’ll probably notice that every one of these you may be falling victim too, if not then keep up the good work!
1. Smartphones Related to Back Pain
In our day and age, smartphones have become a necessity. Smartphones offer convenience and many great tools (apps) at the touch of our fingertips, quite literally. In other words, they’re awesome! The not-so-awesome part of smartphones is the fact that most of us bend over as we’re trying to read or decipher what’s on the screen. What we don’t realize is that this consistent bending over is gradually affecting our backs. Try extending your arm out instead to view your smartphone. This means that pressure that was once on your back is now on your arm.
2. Back Pain from Computer Use
Like smartphones, our computers add to the damage cause to our backs. The reason being: because most of us are not maintaining proper posture that aims at limiting unnecessary stress on our backs. Aim for maintaining a posture of 90 degrees. In other words, stay perfectly perpendicular to your chair. No slouching! Also, we encourage you to take breaks every here and there. This helps in preventing unwanted back pain.
3. Sitting In Cars Can Cause Back Pain
Another habit that causes back pain is our car. Do you have a long commute to work? If so, your posture will be key here. A rule of thumb is to stay 90 degrees as much as possible during anything you decide to sit on; this includes the driver position in your car.
4. Cigarettes and Back Pain
Cigarettes cause many other problems besides back pain, but a correlation does exist between smoking cigarettes and lower back pain. The active chemical, nicotine, prevents blood flow from reaching your vertebrae and disks, which allows them to break down faster, in turn causing pain. You’ve heard it enough times but we feel obliged to say it again: stop smoking.
5. Sleeping On Your Stomach May Cause Back Pain
This one may surprise you, but did you know sleeping on your stomach puts pressure on your spine? It’s true. For some, this is the only method that allows them to sleep, but we suggest trying a new position. If you absolutely cannot make the switch then you can place a pillow under your hip for support.
Chronic back pain treatment is available at Rexford Surgical Institute of Beverly Hills. If these everyday habits causing back pain have already caught up to you and you’re seeking back pain relief then contact a pain management doctor in Beverly Hills.