Your spine is an integral part of your body, here are some ways you might unknowingly be hurting it. When something is off with your back, you know it right away.
Back pain is also one of those things that’s hard to ignore. However, it’s one of the most common ailments people visit the doctor about.
In fact, it only comes in second to the common cold. That being said, most people may be unknowingly contributing to their back woes with seemingly harmless things we do daily.
Here are four ways you’re unknowingly hurting your spine and how you can make small changes to improve your back.
The Way you Play
The way you play sports or do any physical activity may be negatively affecting your spine.
So, if you are playing sports and begin to feel back pain and continue to play without talking to or seeing a health professional to determine what’s going on, you’re going to be doing a lot more harm than good.
If you’re feeling any type of discomfort or pain in your spine, visit an orthopedic specialist like those at Walker Spine and Sports Specialists. Allow the specialists to see if there’s anything out of the ordinary.
Also to determine if there are any adjustments they need to make.
Those Long Drives
If you stop to think about it, most of us spend a lot of time in the car.
We have to drive to work, drop kids off, run to the grocery store, the list goes on and on.
All that driving time can add up, contributing to more pain in your back and spine.
Most of the time all it takes is a small adjustment to your seating position to prevent a lot of that pain and discomfort. You can ask your doctor or spine specialist exactly how you should sit in your car to get the support your spine needs.
Time at the Computer
For most of us, our jobs, school or everyday life require us to sit in front of computers for several hours of the day.
Most of us unknowingly hunch over to look and type at these computers. We don’t even know we are doing it until all of a sudden you are sitting there and your back and neck really start to throb in pain or feel stiff.
Those long hours in hunched positions can do a number on the spine. Take the time when you can to get up and stretch.
If you have a standing desk or a chair that helps to have better posture, your spine will be in better shape.
A Couple of Extra Pounds
It’s hard to be as active as we want as a result of the responsibilities we carry around in our lives. If we are also carrying around even a couple extra pounds, it can equate to back and spine discomfort and pain.
Discuss with your doctor what the ideal weight is for you to have optimal health and to keep your back feeling at its best. You should also come up with a plan on how you can achieve it.
Being active and getting up and walking around helps to stretch and move your joints as well as keeping those extra pounds weighing on you and your spine at bay.
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