Core Stabilization
Low back pain is something almost everyone experiences at some point in their lives. Fortunately, it often gets better on its own. Generally, people experience back pain for the first time in their 30s with the odds of additional attacks increasing with age. Other reasons you may also experience back pain are: being overweight, being sedentary for too long, or lifting heavy things
So, how can you identify and treat your back pain?
First, if you’ve been experiencing low back pain for longer than 72 hours, you should consult a doctor. See a health care professional if the back pain is from a fall or injury.
Let’s take a look at some back pain culprits:
- Your Job
Muscle strain from heavy lifting or vigorous movement is the main cause of backpain. Having a job that requires you to lift, pull, or twist your spine may lead to this. However, sitting at a desk for hours at a time poses its own risks, especially if your chair is uncomfortable or if you slouch a lot.
- Your Bag
The lower back supports your upper body, including any additional weight you carry—purse, backpack, briefcase. So, carrying an overstuffed bag all day can strain the lower back. Consider switching to a wheeled briefcase if you must carry a heavy load.
- Your Sleep
Certain sleep positions can increase the amount of pressure on your neck, shoulders, hips, and lower back. While there’s no optimal position to kick back pain, you can try a few tricks to get it under control. Despite the fact that there is no optimal position to alleviate back pain, there are a few tricks you can try to ease it. By making simple changes in your sleeping position, you can take strain off your back.
- If you sleep on your side, draw your legs up slightly toward your chest and put a pillow between your legs.
- If you sleep on your back, place a pillow under your kneesto help maintain the normal curve of your lower back.
- Sleeping on your stomach can be hard on your back. If you can’t sleep any other way, reduce the strain on your back by placing a pillow under your pelvis and lower abdomen.
- Herniated Disk
The vertebrae are cushioned by gel-like disks that wear and tear as we age or sustain injuries. It’s possible for a weakened disk to rupture or bulge, putting pressure on the spinal nerve roots as a result. This condition is called a herniated disk and can be extremely painful.
- Sciatica
Sciatica is described as pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the leg. The beginning sign of sciatica starts in the lower back, runs through the gluteus down the back of your leg, sometimes all the way to the foot. It’s caused by injury to, pressure on the sciatic nerve, or from the effects of aging.
