Bad Habits that Contribute to Back & Neck Pain

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could say goodbye to your back pain? It turns out that you can, but you have to be willing to change some bad habits. Once you eliminate some bad habits that contribute to back pain, you will be able to live a happy and healthy life. You will feel like a new person, and you’ll have your healthy back to thank.

Bad Posture

Remember how your mom always told you to sit up straight? She was onto something. Bad posture strains your muscles, and it also puts added stress on your spine. That leads to back pain. Sit up straight, throw your shoulders back a bit, and enjoy the relief.

Smoking

If you’ve been thinking of putting cigarettes down for good, now is the time. Blood needs to flow to the discs that cushion your vertebra. Unfortunately, smoking actually restricts the blood flow, meaning you don’t get the cushioning you need. To make matters worse, smoking makes it harder to absorb calcium. Calcium is needed for bone growth, so you are in real trouble if you smoke. Grind out your last cigarette and move on to a healthier life.

Eating Bad Foods

Everyone enjoys a bad food from time to time, but if you make a habit of it, two things will happen. First, you will gain weight. That will put more pressure on your back. The more pressure you have, the more likely you are to suffer from back pain. Second, the bad food can clog your arteries, reducing your circulation. You need healthy circulation to supply your body with nutrients. If your spine doesn’t get all of the nutrients it needs, your back will start to hurt.

Sitting All Day

Okay, you have to sit sometimes, but if you spend all day at your desk, you are putting yourself at risk for back pain. Sitting puts a lot of pressure on your spine, which leads to back pain. If you work at a desk job, consider getting a standing desk. If that isn’t an option, at least get up every hour and take a short walk. Simply walking a few minutes can reduce the pressure and help your back feel good.

Exercising Wrong

If you work out, it is essential that you use proper form. Learn how to lift weights and use the various equipment the right way. Proper form will keep your back healthy. That way, you can enjoy all of the benefits of exercising.

Holding Onto Stress

When you hold grudges and have lots of stress, back pain is likely to follow. Emotional stress quickly turns into physical stress, and before you know it, you’re sitting at home with a heating pad on your back. Practice mindfulness so you can learn to let go of grudges and stress. Your back will feel better immediately.

These are just some of the ways that bad habits contribute to back pain. To get information or to receive help for your pain, contact the Advanced Spine Center today.