Chiropractor shares five 'everyday' mistakes people make that can cause back problems
Maintaining good posture is crucial, regardless of one's profession, as failing to do so can result in future back problems
TAKE NOTE: You could be causing long-term damage to your back and not even know about it (Photo by Getty)
By Neil Shaw
Back problems are a common affliction that can cause significant discomfort and negatively impact your quality of life.
While there are numerous factors that contribute to back pain, many people unknowingly make everyday mistakes that can exacerbate or even cause back problems. According to chiropractor Dr Juliette Hobson, there are five common actions that many of us engage in that can lead to back issues.
Dr Hobson believes that individuals often fail to take sufficient measures to alleviate the pressure and strain associated with their work, which can eventually result in back pain. Over time, the accumulation of tension can contribute to the development of back pain, she said.
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Another common mistake people make is forgetting to carry a water bottle with them at all times, as by staying hydrated, you can prevent backaches by keeping your joints lubricated. Additionally, the chiropractor highlights that many of her clients who experience back pain do not consume enough protein-rich foods, which are essential in promoting growth and repair in the body, reports Hull Live.
Moreover, consuming excessive amounts of sugary treats can lead to back problems as they can cause inflammation and lack the necessary nutrients that help build strength in this region. Finally, Dr Hobson cautions that people often make the mistake of not walking around enough, particularly office workers.
To counter this, she suggests setting reminders on your phone to move around periodically. “Walking around is a great way to get muscles engaged again after sitting still when certain muscles haven’t been used in a while,” she said.
Stressing the fact that our physical health and mental health are extremely connected, Dr Hobson explained: "If the mind is stressed then this signals to the body that it’s in danger. The body reacts to stress by switching off the short muscles around the vertebrae, effectively letting these stabilising muscles go to sleep which makes them vulnerable to going out of alignment, causing spinal pain.
"This may cause the person further stress - meaning an ongoing cycle of pain and stress. It may sound obvious, but getting up and moving around for 10 minutes, every 45 minutes really can make all the difference."
In order to raise awareness about how workplace stress can cause physical discomfort, Dr Hobson has partnered with Equals Money as part of its Pain Free Payments campaign. The payment solution business also commissioned research of 1,500 office workers, which found 88 per cent suffer from some form of physical pain - including back, neck or joint pain - while at work.
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