Common Causes of Lower Back Pain
Your back is involved in pretty much any movement you can think of. Walking, running, bending over, and even sitting down all require the engagement of your back muscles – so when they are in pain, you are going to feel it. Back pain is something that affects millions of Americans, here are some of the most common reasons for it.
Poor Posture
When your mom used to scold you for slouching at the dinner table, it wasn’t just for etiquette purposes. Poor posture can cause muscular imbalances and inflict significant damage on your body’s joints, especially those in your lumbar spine. Here are some common posture mistakes, and what you can do to correct them.
Sedentary Lifestyle
Between the desk jobs, daily commutes, and television time, many of us are spending the entire day sitting on our butts. Physical activity at any level is essential for a healthy back, as your discs tend to have poor blood circulation when we are sitting down or staying still. If you have bad posture, these effects could be even worse.
Sleeping Situation
The way you sleep and the mattress that you sleep on could both be contributing to your lower back pain. Your mattress should be a medium firmness – beds that are too hard wreak havoc on the hips and shoulders, and beds that are too soft can compromise the alignment of your spine. You should also avoid sleeping on your stomach, and choose a pillow that keeps your head in line with the rest of your body.
Injuries
Just one small tweak to your back can lead to years of pain and discomfort if you mismanage it. Whether they are from sports, poor technique at the gym, or just bending over to pick up a pencil, prior back injuries tend to have lingering effects if they aren’t handled properly.
Is your back stiff, sore, or inflamed? No matter what is causing your back pain, the spine specialists at Orthopaedic Specialty Group can help. Our team of certified back doctors provide expertise and advanced surgical and non-surgical treatment options for a wide array of problems such as arthritis, scoliosis, nerve compression, and more. Call us today to schedule an appointment at (203) 337-2600.