. . . with both young and old people struggling on a daily basis to try to figure out what could be done to make the pain disappear!
There are actually many factors that can lead to bad posture and chronic pain, including, a sedentary lifestyle, and some unhealthy everyday habits! Let’s go through seven of them, and see how they effect your spinal health.
Obviously, smoking is not a harmless habit! It is a dangerous one that can cause you many health issues and deadly diseases including, cancer. Aside from the known cancer dangers of this additive habit, smoking can- surprisingly- cause you chronic backaches! The nicotine contained in cigarettes is found to disrupt the normal blood flow around the spinal cord. And without normal blood flow, nerves can begin to lose their functionality. Please: don't smoke!
Disruption of Circadian Rhythm
According to some researchers, good condition of the cells in intervertebral discs depends on the stability of your day/night cycle. This means that when your daily circadian rhythm is disrupted, the intervertebral discs start to function poorly, which eventually leads to inflammation, degeneration of the disks, and chronic lower back pains. Studies also show that some chemical substances with natural inflammatory properties are produced in our bodies during the day. The wisest thing to do is to stick to a stable sleep pattern which provides a regular time for your body to deal with these chemicals.
Working While Standing in Awkward Positions
If you think that slumped sitting for hours can hurt you, then, you need to know that standing too much can also damage your spine, if it's not done carefully.
In fact, a poor standing position can greatly affect your neck, spine, and shoulders. It can increase your risk of getting serious spinal curvatures and experiencing increasing chronic pain.
Maintain the health of your muscles and joints by standing, sitting and laying in stress-minimizing positions. Avoid stressing your your body and hold control of your spinal cord- with a back brace, it need be- while moving or doing physical activities.
Wearing the wrong shoes
The shoes you wear can hugely affect the health of your spine. Wearing poorly or unusually designed, cheaply made, or just plain old uncomfortable shoes on a regular basis can cause a strain on your legs- particularly in the calves if you wear high heels- which automatically leads to backaches. Therefore, it is extremely important to opt for the high-quality, well-designed, decently arched, more conservatively-designed shoe. And don’t forget to wear socks in order to avoid any friction or feelings of discomfort.
Not enough sleep
Getting enough rest, especially after a long and exhausting day is crucial, a necessity that is considered to be a key part of a healthy lifestyle! Whenever you experience a discomfort in your back, be aware that your body is actually sending you a message, begging you to rest. It’s true that it’s not always possible to rest and respond to your body’s needs immediately, but once you do have time, try to relax, even if the pain has disappeared. Sleep in a cool, well-darkened, quiet room to maximize the quality of sleep you experience. If you sleep supine (face up), put a pillow or bolster under your knees to relieve some of the strain on your lower back as you sleep.
Bending Over to Use Mobile Phones
According to a recent study, using mobile phones on a daily basis can cause painful issues at the level of the cervical (upper) spine. It can even lead to a loss of the natural cervical curve of the spine. This issue is more common in young people and more particularly teenagers. Even worse, work by therapist Eric Dalton reveals that bending your neck forward to write a simple text message on the phone in your lap adds over 40 pounds of pressure to the neck. Combining that forward bend with the tendency to use this position for several hours a day, means that the neck remains bent for hours, which is definitely a health no-no! The constant incorrect posture can lead to chronic spinal curvature and many other serious complications. And when you must use your mobile phone, remember to control your posture while using it: your spine will appreciate it.
Lack of Weight-Bearing, Physical Exercise
Some people get it all wrong and think that by avoiding movements, they are safe from backaches. Quite the opposite is true! Your body is continually “remodeling” itself in response to the exercise(s) exerted upon it. If this weren’t true, how could bodybuilders ever build their bodies? You should commit to a balanced program of aerobic activity, strengthening exercises, and exercises- such as Tai Chi or yoga- which promote flexibility and smooth movement of the spine. Keep your muscles moving and during exercise, try to move and stretch slowly. Once, your body gets used to these exercises, try to increase the number of repetitions, and then their complexity and intensity.
Let common sense rule your actions to maintain good spinal health. Sleep well, get enough exercise, lift with your legs, hold your body in postures that do not strain your neck and back, and don't wear shoes that would contribute to poor posture by reducing blood circulation. If you have questions about your spinal health, consider a discussion with a board certified chiropractor or kinesiologist.