10 Causes of Back Pain You May Not Know About

In a 2019 study about 46% of adults over the age of 65 experience some sort of back pain. One main reason for back pain is that naturally, our bodies will lose fluid in our discs, making our muscles and joints feel stiffer which in turn creates the pain we feel in our backs. Of course, other lifestyle choices that we may be unaware about affect back pain, too.

Below we discuss 10 possibly unknown and surprising reasons for back pain.

1. Not Drinking Enough Milk

Vitamin D is known to benefit bone health. Not consuming enough dairy, or dairy alternatives, can be a factor you may not have known that contributes to back pain. Having low levels of Vitamin D causes disc degeneration, so it may be a good idea to get these levels checked out at your next doctors visit.

2. A Weak Core

Your core is one of the most important muscles in your body. Think of it as the trunk of your body. Having a weak trunk can lead to chronic back pain. Your core supports the spine, keeping it aligned properly as well as helps maintain balance. There are tons of exercises you can do to help strengthen your core.

3. You’re a Grandparent

Hoisting around a child can put stress on your lower back, especially if its been a while since you’ve held one. Make sure that when you’re lifting your grandchild (or anything) you have a wide stance and hold the child close to your body before lifting.

4. Your Bedroom Isn’t Dark Enough

Did you know that even when your body is asleep, it can still figure out if there is too much light around you? Instead of re-setting, resting and relaxing your muscles during your sleep period, which is you’re your body is meant to do at night, your body’s heart rate can increase due to the light which makes your sleep quality suffer.

5. Sedentary Lifestyle

We’ve all heard that having a sedentary lifestyle can do more damage than good, and that holds true when it comes to back pain as well. If you’re sitting down, the joints in. your body aren’t being used, creating stiff muscles when getting back up.

The way you sit and what you sit on is important too. Not sitting on the right furniture can cause discomfort. There are certain ergonomic furniture and equipment you can use if you’re someone who tends to sit around a lot.

A good rule of thumb is to stick to the 30 minute rule: Move your body in a different position every half hour. This means that after 30 minutes, get up, stretch and move around.

6. Your Legs Aren’t Toe-to-Toe

Did you know that about 1 in 3 of us have legs that are not the same length? If you are one of the 3 people, having an uneven walk can put a lot of stress on the one of the body. If you are someone who deals with this, an easy solution would be adding a lift to the shoe on the shorter leg.

7. You Smoke Cigarettes

According to a study, the nicotine in cigarettes damages the spinal tissue. The nicotine tricks your brain and makes you more resilient to back pain.

8. Check Your Mattress

Although soft, cushy feeling mattresses make you feel like you’re sleeping in luxury, sometimes they’re not good for your back. The more soft the mattress is, the less support it provides you. To prevent back pain, a medium-firm mattress is preferred.

9. Wearing the Wrong Shoes

Think of your shoes like you do your mattress, the correct firmness and support is needed to reduce back pain. That’s why people who wear heels often complain about food and back pain — because there isn’t enough or the right support. When looking for the right footwear for back pain, aim to grab shoes that have medium firmness and good arch support.

10. Stress

Stress is called the “silent killer” for a reason. Often without realizing it, stress can take a toll on your body. Some peole carry stress in the shoulders and upper back, making muscles feel tight and why it feels so good to get a massage.

Article Source: https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2022/causes-of-back-pain.html?cmp=SNO-FB-HLTH-CAT-ICM&socialid=13441890537

Image Sources: www.adobestock.com

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