Adjustments Help: A Chiropractor Blog

Three Things That Can Contribute To Or Cause Back Pain

Back pain is an extremely common problem for people all over the world. Unfortunately, it's also a condition that can have a lot of potential causes, making it sometimes difficult for doctors to treat. However, these three conditions frequently cause or contribute to back pain, potentially making it worse than it has to be. Take a look to see if you're experiencing any of these conditions to find out if they could be contributing to your back pain.

Weight Gain

Weight gain is one of the most common causes of back pain. This is typically because weight has a tendency to accumulate in the abdomen. When it does, it impacts posture and pulls down on the spine, causing the vertebrae to be oddly spaced apart. This strains the muscles, tendons, and ligaments responsible for holding the back together.

Poor Posture

Another common cause is poor posture. Many people these days have poor posture due to people's regular use of things like computers and phones. Staring down at a screen all day can put strain on your spine and leave your back aching, especially if you don't have an ergonomic setup at work. 

Aging

Lastly, aging itself can cause your back to hurt. There are a few potential reasons for this.

The first is that aging tends to come with weight gain, especially in the midsection. So you may be experiencing the weight gain problem just because you've gotten a little older.

Secondly, growing older typically causes the cushioning in the spine to break down. As this happens, the vertebrae move closer together, potentially pinching nerves (which can definitely cause back pain) and rubbing against each other (which can also hurt).

Thankfully, with the exception of aging, there are things you can do to combat these contributors to back pain. Try losing a little weight and be more conscious of your posture. Stand up straight, and when you notice that you're staring straight down at your screen, try holding your phone up so that your neck and spine are at a more normal angle.

Most importantly, seek help from a chiropractor. Chiropractors excel at treating ailments of the back and spine and they can help you to understand why you're experiencing back pain and treat it at the source. Chiropractors can help to provide you with relief even if you don't lose weight or improve your posture as they can help to gently spread out your vertebrae and restore them to their normal position. 

Reach out to a professional such as Eric Schmetterling DC to learn more.


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