Pain in the lower back is the most common pain people experience, but why? Here are the most common triggers of back pain.
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people call out of work and go to the doctor. Four in five people suffer from the agony of back pain. In a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pain in the lower back was the most common pain people experienced, but why? Here are the most common triggers of back pains.
In a study conducted by researchers from Temple University, texting, surprisingly, is creating more pains in the neck, shoulders and backs.
Judith Gold, an assistant professor of Epidemiology at the College of Health Professions and Social Work, said “What we’ve seen so far is very similar to what we see with office workers who’ve spent most of their time at a computer.”
Prior studies have already confirmed long hours spent in front of a computer screen can increase your chances of experiencing back pain. Sitting, alone, may put pressure on disks and vertebrae, compared to standing according to, Jeffrey Katz, MD, a professor of medicine and orthopedic surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Additionally, sitting in front of a computer may cause carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis and tendonitis.
Your sleep posture may be the reason you experience more back pain than usual. Sleeping on your stomach can increase pressure on your joints and muscles. However, if you sleep on your side or back, it will keep your spine neutral and extended. If you feel like it’s too uncomfortable to sleep on your side or back, experts suggest using a thin pillow to elevate your hips and lessen the pressure on disks ligaments ad muscles.
If you are smoker you have a higher chance of having recurring back pains. In a study conducted by Finnish researchers, those who smoke have a 31 percent higher chance of enduring back pain. Researchers are not exactly sure why but they hypothesize smoking reduced blood supply to the spine.
The wrong shoes may also be a contributing factor to your back pains. High heels can increase the forward curve of the back and cause the pelvis to tip forward causing back pain, according to the American Chiropractic Association.
Source: www.medicaldaily.com; Nikki Tucker; September 28, 2012.
