Work & Sleep: How We Sit And Lay Has A Huge Impact On Our Spine

Back pain is much more common than it needs to be. People are unaware of what they are doing to cause it until it becomes severe enough to do something about it. Among the top 10 reasons for being hospitalized it comes in at #5.An astonishing 56% of all people with lower back pain claim their back are disrupting their daily routines. That includes sleep as well as sex. A lot of different things can contribute to back pain. The good news about that is there are things to do to solve your back problems.

A chiropractor, Todd Sinnett, co-authored a book titled ‘The Truth About Back Pain’. He states that “Back pain is seldom ever a single catastrophic event. However, several situations combine together to create the pain’. What it boils down to are our daily habits. You do the same things repeatedly over a long period of time and finally they begin to take a toll on your back.

Again, many of the habits that are contributing to your back pain are solvable. One example would be hunching over your steering wheel on long commutes. Over time, this can cause the chest muscles to tighten and a ’rounding’ of your shoulders. When you develop a ‘slumping’ type posture it zaps your energy and can bring on both neck and back problems. People who spend a lot of time on the road are prone to this type of driving posture and the subsequent back pain. Making a conscious effort to correct your driving posture will remedy this situation.

Bad Sitting Habits Can be Helped

Another real problem facing many people today is ‘desk jockey syndrome’. Lots of people either work all day at a desk in an office or spend the day on their computers at home. Sitting adds 40% more pressure on the spine than standing.

Taking regular standing breaks will help ease the pressure. Having a couch nearby to stretch out on for a few minutes now and then is even better, lying flat on your back, keeping it straight. Getting up and stretching every now and then throughout your sitting day will result in noticeable improvement. If you get a phone call at your desk, stand up and take it.

Stress – The Biggest Killer Today

Believe it or not, chronic stress can contribute to your back pain. Being under the gun at work or in home situations can cause the muscles in your body to ‘clench up’ or tighten. This can affect you in your back and neck. Muscles that contract, like when you’re stressed out, need to be relaxed again. If you stay stressed continuously without relieving the muscles of that tension, it can cause some major back pain.

Throughout your day take a time to ‘unwind’ before you become ‘wound too tight’. Take breaks to meditate, stretch, or laugh or exercise with a friend. Listening to music is a good way to relax. In an Austrian study there were 65 people with herniated disks, and when they practiced combining music with relaxation imagery, their lower-back pain reduced significantly.

Old Mattresses

One of the biggest culprits causing back pain for a large number of people are old mattresses. Good mattresses can last from around 9 to 10 years, at least, that’s what the National Sleep Foundation says. However, most people should think about replacing their mattresses after about 5 to 7 years. This is especially true if your back throbs or you’re not sleeping well. Studies from Oklahoma State University revealed that most people who replaced their bedding every 5 years slept much better and experienced less back pain.

Old Mattresses

When you replace your mattress make sure you get one that has the proper support. A mattress that is too firm can add pressure to your spine. Studies by Spanish researchers show that people who sleep on medium-firm mattresses experienced more pain improvement than those sleeping on firmer mattresses.

Staying consciously aware of your standing and sleeping habits with the intention of correcting them will help you take control of your back pain situation.

For more information visit www.physioandmore.co.uk