Some aches and pains have obvious causes. But back and neck pain can sometimes seem to come out of nowhere, without a cause at all. This post will discuss three of the most surprising back pain causes that could come into play the next time you wonder why your back aches.
1. Excess Phone Time
Your spine is made to stay straight, aside from its natural curves. When you spend a lot of time with your head forward and down (the way it is when you're looking at your phone, tablet, or laptop), you strain the muscles in your neck. You may feel pain localized to your neck, or shooting pain down the length of your spine.
Give your neck periodic breaks while you text or catch up on your favorite show.
2. Improper Shoes
You know the wrong shoes can make your feet hurt, but they can also cause tension in your back. High-heeled shoes force you into a toe-to-heel motion, rather than the other way around. This position results in instability that you may feel from your knees to your shoulders.
Backless shoes also cause problems because they allow your feet to slide around. This changes your body weight distribution and puts more strain on your back.
Wear the right size shoes and only wear heels or flip flops for short periods of time.
3. Stress
Stress causes a lot of unpleasant symptoms, from trouble sleeping to stomach aches. It also contributes to overly tight muscles. When the muscles in your back stay perpetually tightened, you increase your risk of injury and muscles spasms. With stress-related tight muscles, you also have a harder time treating back pain that originates from another cause.
Give yourself time to unwind after a stressful situation, whether you're taking a bath or just taking a break. It may also help to add a low impact form of exercise to your daily routine. Activities like walking and swimming decrease stress. As a bonus, they also encourage healthy posture and, by extension, a healthy back.
Whether you know the cause of your back pain or you suffer symptoms you can't explain, address these concerns with a chiropractor. Chiropractors use manual manipulation, massage, and other therapy techniques to realign and strengthen your back.
Don't let one of these subtle sources keep your back out of commission. Follow the tips above and talk to an experienced chiropractor to overcome these causes.
Share1 November 2015
One day, in the middle of helping my kids to clean up the house, I lifted a box weird and threw out my back. It was frustrating, but I assumed that it would go away on its own. I was wrong. After trying everything I could think of to resolve the problem, my back still hurt and I couldn't stand up straight. After a week of suffering, I made the decision to meet with a chiropractor. He inspected my back, took x-rays, and figured out that I had slipped a disc. I started a grueling physical therapy routine, but after a few days, things started to improve. Read this blog to learn more about chiropractors.
