Back problems have become more common in the 21st century and are generally caused by a sedentary lifestyle and holding/looking at new gadgets. There can be many reasons for poor posture and chronic pain, but scientists are revealing some that we have caused ourselves.
For example, did you know that your job can be the leading cause of chronic back pain? Lack of rest also affects posture.
We want to talk about the most popular habits that scientists say cause chronic back pain.
A Disruption Of Circadian Rhythms
The researchers found that the condition of the cells in the intervertebral discs directly depends on how stable your day and night cycle is.
Scientists assume that when our circadian rhythms are disrupted (due to age, chronic insomnia, and night shifts), these cells begin to malfunction, leading to chronic inflammation and making us more susceptible to developing low back pain and degeneration of the intervertebral discs.
Other studies have shown that some natural anti-inflammatory chemicals in our bodies are better produced during the day.
So to slow down the aging of your spinal cord, you need to stick to a schedule that doesn’t turn you into a zombie in the middle of the day.
Working While Standing
We have all heard that sitting too long is harmful. But the need to be on your feet at all times can be just as bad for your health. Just standing can have a huge impact on the condition of your neck, spine, and shoulders.
Incorrect posture can have terrible consequences when it comes to the spinal cord, leading to chronic pain and severe curvatures.
Our muscles and joints need flexibility to stay healthy, and poor posture is one of the first signs that you are doing something wrong.
Most of the time, if your head or shoulders are in the wrong position, it means that you are not controlling your upper body well enough.
This leads to curvature and makes your body have to compensate for poor posture during movement. This leads to even greater stress on the body.
To avoid poor posture, we must stand, sit, and lie down in a way that puts minimal stress on the muscles and ligaments and supports the spinal cord, especially during movement and sports.
Not Getting Enough Rest
Many of us don’t pay enough attention to the first alarming signs, like barely noticeable back pain. However, it is very important to rest whenever you feel slight discomfort in your back.
Of course, you can’t always allow yourself to rest at such times. But don’t forget to rest as soon as you have time, even if the discomfort has passed.
To reduce the added strain on your muscles, lie down and put your feet up.
Too Much Mental Work
Sometimes your brain working too hard for a long time can lead to backaches.
Try to think about something other than work and your problems. Take time to rest: you can play sports or watch a movie to forget about the problems that cause you stress.
The ability to think about something else can lower your chances of back pain.
Our Mobile Phones
A recent study showed that reading a simple text message can add up to 45 pounds of pressure on the spinal cord. Think about it: 45 pounds just because you’re texting!
The use of cell phones every day leads to a loss of the natural curve of the cervical spine and a greater load on this part of the back, especially in adolescents.
Scientists have calculated that people use cell phones for 2 to 4 hours a day on average, which means that our necks bend 700 to 1,400 hours a year.
This means that soon, surgeons will have many more patients, especially teenagers, because constant incorrect posture can lead to severe and chronic spinal curvature.
So at some point, you will realize that you can’t stand upright, and that’s it for your cell phone!
Of course, we cannot stop using technology that makes our lives so much easier. But at least we can be aware of how we position our bodies.
The least you can do is control your posture when using the phone. Your back will thank you.
We Avoid Movement To Not Experience Back Pain
Don’t avoid sports, especially those that require the flexibility of the spine (such as yoga). It is important to move on. Muscles relax when they move and slowly stretch.
Gradually increase the number of exercises and their complexity, and keep moving a lot.
Do you usually have back pain? How do you deal with it? Let us know in the comment section below!
