9 things that could be making your back feel worse

9 things that could be making your back feel worse

Back issues affect roughly 80% of the population, with 65 million Americans alone experiencing a recent bout of back discomfort. Since this issue is so prevalent, we took some time to learn why so many people suffer from back aches and chronic discomfort.


Here are 9 things that could be making your back feel worse:

1. Age

Let's start with one we can't control: Age! Back discomfort typically becomes prevalent in adults between the ages of 30 and 50. As we get older, our bones become weaker and muscle elasticity and tone decrease. The loss of bone strength can even lead to fractures in the back. The ability of our discs to cushion the vertebrae decreases due to loss of fluid and flexibility with age. The older that a person gets, the more prone they are to having low back discomfort.


2. Fitness Level

It is far more common for people who are not physically fit to develop low back issues. When the spine is not properly supported due to weak back or abdominal muscles, it can cause serious issues. Studies have shown that regular low-impact aerobic exercise helps the integrity of vertebral discs. Moving your body should not be an all-or-nothing approach! You are more likely to suffer a serious back injury when you go out and exercise a lot on the weekend after being inactive all week compared to those who make moderate physical activity a daily habit. 

Unfortunately, for many back ache sufferers, exercise simply doesn't seem doable. This becomes a vicious cycle – you don't exercise because your back hurts, but your back hurts worse because you don't exercise. Click here if you're ready to get moving again. 


3. Weight Gain

Quickly gaining significant amounts of weight and being obese or overweight can put a great deal of stress on the lower back, leading low back discomfort. Exercise and a healthy diet are some of the first things to be suggested to individuals suffering from chronic back aches. 

 

4. Genetics

It is evident that our lifestyle can play an important role in minimizing low back discomfort even in older age, but genetics can also play a role. There are many genetic dispositions like Spinal Muscular Atrophy that can lead to excessive back discomfort. If you suffer from a diagnosable condition that is causing your back discomfort, all is not lost! Many genetic causes of low back discomfort can be minimized when identified early.

 

5. Job-related Factors

Whether you are working a job that requires a lot of physical exertion or sitting at a desk all day, your job can play a major role in developing back discomfort. Some jobs that require heavy lifting, pulling, or pushing, especially if it involves twisting or vibrating the spine, can lead to back discomfort and even injury. Similarly, poor posture while sitting at a desk or in a chair with not enough support can also lead to back discomfort. Many of us spend the majority of our waking hours working in some way, shape, or form. It is important to maintain good posture and healthy practices when it comes to caring for your body in the workplace!

 

6. Mental Health

As we have mentioned before, our mind and our bodies are connected in a big way. Depression and anxiety can have an influence on how closely one focuses on their discomfort as well as their perception of its severity. On the flip side, chronic discomfort can also play a role in developing psychological factors like depression and anxiety. As you're reading this, make a conscious effort to drop your shoulders, take a deep breath, unclench your jaw, and remove your tongue from the roof of your mouth. Feel better? That's because certain forms of discomfort, such as muscle tension in the back, can also be developed and worsened by stress! 

 

7. Smoking

It's no secret that smoking is extremely detrimental to overall health. When it comes to back discomfort, smoking can restrict oxygen and blood flow to the discs in your spine, which can ultimately cause them to degenerate faster. If you are a smoker, we urge you to take the necessary steps to break the habit! Your health literally depends on it. 

 

8. Early Development in Children

There are many things we can do for our children to reduce their risks of developing back discomfort later on in life. Even carrying a backpack that is too heavy can cause muscle fatigue and strain. It is also becoming increasingly more popular for children to get involved in weight training at an earlier age. This can be a great thing when done properly, but when children lift with improper form, or use too heavy of weights, it can lead to serious back discomfort or even injury. "Tech neck," caused by looking down at screens too often, is also a major risk factor for children and teens. Avoiding these risk factors at a young age gives better odds of maintaining good back health down the road.

 

9. Psychological Factors

Stress, depression, anxiety, mood, and our overall psychological well-being can also affect the chances of experiencing back discomfort. 


 

Back and low back discomfort is a serious cause for concern that affects many people. We hope that learning about these risk factors here can help you to avoid the things you can control to reduce your risk of back discomfort.

Our mission here at Signal Relief is to provide real relief for every body in need. If you find yourself suffering from back discomfort or body aches of any kind, we can help! Try the Signal Relief patch risk-free with our 120-day money back guarantee and get back to the life you love. 

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Source:
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/patient-caregiver-education/fact-sheets/low-back-pain-fact-sheet