Why Is My Back Aching? (And What Should I Do About It?)
Are you suffering from an achy, sore back? There are lots of everyday activities that could be contributing to back pain, but sometimes we overlook them. After all, you may have had the same routine for a while but just recently started feeling the symptoms. By bringing awareness to the activities that might be causing back pain, you’ll be better able to avoid it.
Hard Work is Hard on Your Body
Do you sit at a desk at work all day? It may seem unavoidable, but there are ways to get moving during the day and still get your work done. Sitting all day, hunched over a computer, can be very damaging for your back. Try setting an alarm that reminds you to get up and move around a few times during the day. Or, commit to taking a short walk during your lunch break. Movement is very important to spinal health and lack of movement can be very detrimental.
Ignoring Your Core Can Cause Problems All Over
Many back problems are related to a weak core. Core strength is critical for stabilizing your back and allowing your body to move easily. If your core is weak, even common movements can throw your spine out of alignment. To strengthen your core, focus on exercises like lunges or planks, which target many muscle groups that support the spine.
A Good Night’s Sleep May Lead to Painful Days
Sleeping on your stomach may mean a restful night, but you could pay the price during the day. Stomach sleeping puts pressure on the muscles and joints in your back, while sleeping on your side or back allows your spine to stay elongated and remain in a neutral position. When choosing a mattress, look for one labeled medium on the manufacturer’s firmness scale. Some firmness is favorable for spine health, because a bed that is too soft will not support your joints. However, a bed that is too hard can place unnecessary pressure on your hips and shoulders.
You Can’t Separate Emotional Stress From Physical Stress
Most people don’t realize that emotional stress can take a toll on your back just like physical stress can. A stress hormone known as cortisol is triggered in the body by stress of any kind and can cause you to tense your shoulder muscles, leading to back pain. Try meditation, deep breathing and exercise to ease stress and help you feel better.
If you’ve eliminated all of these potential causes, and you are still experiencing back pain, it may be time to see a chiropractor. Chiropractic care can help determine and treat the cause of your pain, not just the symptoms.
Our chiropractic team of wellness doctors, Vasili Gatsinaris, DC, QME, James Kim, DC, Adam Abulghualya, DC, BS, ART and Caprice Leonard, MA, ATC specialize in chiropractic and wellness care. Our Irvine chiropractic office is located near John Wayne Airport, convenient for people living in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Tustin, Santa Ana and other surrounding Orange County communities.
Let our Orange County chiropractic team make a plan and treat your injury so that you are not restricted from your active lifestyle. To learn more about our variety of services or to schedule an appointment, take advantage of our Facebook new patient special and contact us or call 949-263-9003 today.