Poor Posture and Living a Sedentary Lifestyle

Poor Posture and Living a Sedentary Lifestyle

Poor Posture and Living a Sedentary Lifestyle

In Canada, approximately 80% of the population will experience back pain at some point in their lives. However there are other ways individuals can develop back pain these include but are not limited to: poor lifting technique resulting in mechanical problems, poor posture, a sports related injury, poor physical fitness and being overweight.

Whether its in the workplace, at school or at home lifting objects, either large or small, is commonly done on a daily basis. What many people are unaware of is that lifting improperly can lead to back pain that can occur suddenly or develop over time. Improper bending and lifting especially when one gets older can result in back pain. Even simple tasks like washing the dishes or picking up a small object thats fallen on the ground can result in the spine being bent in an unnatural way. The movement itself doesn't have to involve heavy objects or be exaggerated to cause pain. Most employees have been trained on proper lifting techniques if their job requires frequent lifting however some people aren't aware of standard procedures when lifting. Some guidelines that should be followed to prevent back pain due to improper lifting are: to engage the abs and core muscles to help support the back when lifting, bend with the knees and squat and hold the object close to your body while standing up. While lifting never twist your body, rather than changing direction with your waist use your feet and push rather than pull as it is easier on your back.

Another common way to develop back pain is poor posture and living a sedentary lifestyle. Being seated during the day is almost unavoidable, whether its at the computer or in the car commuting to work or school. What most people don't know is that constantly remaining seated results in less circulation which deprives disks in the spine of nourishment. This can lead to long-term damage and puts more pressure on the spine. Also bad posture while sitting, standing or sleeping can cause more pressure to be put on certain disks, this uneven pressure creates a higher chance of a disk rupturing. To avoid complications related to back pain one should remember to: maintain a good posture which involves keeping the spine properly aligned and straight, this can be done by holding reading material at eye level, avoiding bending over or leaning forward, and choosing a chair that provides proper support at work. Getting up to stretch and move around every 20-30 minutes after being seated, this will promote fluid circulation through the discs.

Its also important to get enough daily physical activity as this will also promote healthier lifestyle choices and prevent back pain as a result of inactivity. Being overweight is also a cause for back pain as it puts more pressure on the spine. Consuming a balanced diet in accordance with Canada's Food Guide and getting enough exercise can prevent one from being overweight and thus prevent back pain from this cause.

Lastly, an unavoidable accident, a sports injury or excess physical exertion after being idle for a long period of time can also result in back pain. I've been playing soccer for over 11 years and I've experienced back pain after a long off season especially between the outdoor and indoor season. I've commonly witnessed my dad also experience back pain after a round of golf without properly training or stretching beforehand. To avoid injuring your back playing sports or doing other strenuous activities it's important to stretch both before and after doing activities, especially the sides of the abdomen. Using an inflatable ball to engage the abs and strengthen core muscles can also reduce the risk of back injury. In addition, staying active and exercising daily will ensure that injury doesn't result because of too much physical exertion after long periods of being idle or not being physically fit. Though it may seem contradictory, regular physical activity will also help relieve muscle tension.

Chiropractic care is a drug-free, non-surgical treatment option that is becoming increasingly utilized by people in Canada and the US. Generally, chiropractors perform a physical examination of the patient and take their medical history before developing a treatment plan. Other lab tests and diagnostic imaging of the spine are often used by a chiropractor in order to better understand the condition of the bones, soft tissues and whether there any anomalies in the spine. This helps the doctor develop a specific treatment plan. The treatment involves the chiropractor using a sudden, controlled force to manipulate the joints and improve both the range and quality of motion. Essentially these adjustments are done to realign the spine and help the patient control and manage their pain. A series of manual adjustments may be performed by the doctor over the course of a few days for possibly several weeks. Along with using manual adjustments chiropractors also treat back pain by providing nutritional counselling to their patients and incorporating it into the treatment plan. Also incorporated into the treatments plans are rehabilitative exercise, orthopedics, and the application of hot or cold packs. Addressing other lifestyle factors, such as weight loss and dietary changes as well as providing nutritional supplements are also ways a chiropractor can help treat back pain.




Poor Posture and Living a Sedentary Lifestyle

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