Back pain is a common sign of aging, as eight out of every 10 people will experience back pain at some point during their lives. While an acute injury can occur, most of the time, it’s due to normal wear and tear that adds up over time.
While some causes (lifting heavy objects, bending over for long periods of time) are more obvious, there are some sneaky signs of back pain as well.
Deptford Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has a look at five of these causes you may not realize are doing damage to your back.
- Weak Core Muscles
Most people think of their core muscles as their abdomen. While that’s true, weak core muscles put extra strain on the back as that part of the body tries to overcompensate. Exercises to strengthen the core like sit-ups and crunches along with maintaining a good posture can help.
- Poor Sleep
Our muscles relax and repair themselves by removing lactic acid buildup during the sleep process, so if you’re not getting enough or it’s being interrupted, this process cannot be completed and can leave you feeling tight and sore.
- Improper Shoes
If you’re leaning forward or backward to stabilize your foot, that can put extra strain on your back. An easy fix to this issue is to go to wear shoes with proper support when you’re walking or running. Flip-flops, high heels, and sandals without good support should be limited.
- Sitting in the Same Position
You might not think that sitting would put strain on your back, but doing so for more than 30 minutes at a time can start to bring on pain. You should either get up and walk around or—at the very least—change positions every half hour.
- A New Member of the Family
You know that lifting and carrying objects can lead to back soreness, but that might not be top-of-mind when you’re playing with a new grandchild or pet. Taking a baby out of a crib or into or out of a car seat can also put added strain on the back if you’re not bending over and lifting properly.
To learn more about Deptford Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit http://deptford-center.facilities.centershealthcare.org.
