Countless individuals struggle with back pain. This pain may come and go, or it could persist. Regardless of how long it lasts, it impacts a person’s quality of life. People are often surprised to learn what is causing their pain when they visit a chiropractor. The following may contribute to the pain.
Insomnia
Many people deal with insomnia regularly. If they also have back pain, they may assume they can’t sleep because their back hurts. However, it may be the other way around. Insomnia can cause back pain and make a person more sensitive to it. Setting a sleep schedule and relaxing before bed might help resolve both issues.
Your Walk
The average person takes between 3,000 and 4,000 steps each day. If they have foot, ankle, or leg pain, their stride might be thrown off, leading to back pain. Flat feet can also cause pain in the lower back. Visit a podiatrist to learn if the feet contribute to back pain and how to fix the problem. They may recommend footwear or assistive devices and a trip to the chiropractor to get the patient back on track.
Gaming
Gamers can sit for hours when they are in the midst of a brutal competition. When doing so, their shoulders tend to be slumped, and their heads tilt forward. Poor posture contributes to back pain, muscle strain, and stiffness. Gamers should set an alarm clock and take breaks every 30 minutes to reduce the risk of back pain and other health issues. Spinal Decompression may help gamers who have suffered bulging or herniated discs, as poor posture can further aggravate the damaged discs.
Nerve Problems
Any person who has injured their back or had surgery on the back may have scar tissue. This scar tissue helps the body heal, but it can irritate sensitive areas and may block blood flow to nerves, resulting in back pain. Electric pulse therapy can help resolve this issue, but some need surgery to fix the damage.
C-Sections
Women who undergo c-sections are often given epidurals, which increase their risk of lower back pain in the future. The unnatural positions the body may end up in during labor can be painful. However, they numb the woman so she can’t feel pain when lying in an awkward pose for an extended period. Limited activity following a c-section can also weaken the abdominal muscles and contribute to back pain.
Tobacco Use
Smokers are at high risk of back pain. Tobacco use reduces blood flow to the bones and tissues, which increases the risk of disc problems. Smoking also slows the healing process, and nicotine may increase the pain the person feels.
Height
Taller women, those 5’7″ or taller, are more likely to have back pain than their shorter peers. Tall men over 6’1″ are also at more risk of back pain. Researchers believe this could be due to hormones or how taller individuals move. Posture problems may also contribute to the pain.
Pants that are too tight, urinary tract infections, and a bulky wallet might also contribute to back pain. Men and women must wear shoes that can absorb the shock of hard surfaces underfoot and protect the feet from harm. Talk with the chiropractor to learn how to protect the body and reduce the risk of back pain. They will happily share this information with patients to ensure a better quality of life.