Article Table of Contents
Hidden Dangers
When most people think of a broken back, their minds automatically drift to the dramatic.
The conception is that a hurt back can only be the result of a traumatic base jumping accident or perhaps a daredevil stunt gone terribly wrong.
Of course, extreme situations can lead to poor back health. However, they are far less common than many other causes much closer to home.
Something as simple as taking a bike ride through Sweetwater Creek State Park could potentially be harmful to ones back.
Here at Arrowhead Clinic Lithia Springs, we want everyone to be as safe and healthy as possible, by being aware that even simple activities could cause harm to ones spine.
In the spirit of awareness, here is a list of ten every day things that could be putting strain on your spine.
Working
Yes, this is very vague.
We have no way of knowing what kind of work that you do.
However, it doesn’t matter if you sit at a desk or have a physically demanding job. Everyone has the potential to put strain on their back while at work.
If you sit behind a desk, take action to ensure good posture and take frequent standing breaks.
If you have a physically demanding job, take breaks when available and ensure your motions do not put any unnecessary strain on your back.
Sitting
Going off of the previous tip, it doesn’t have to be just work.
Any action that requires sitting for an extended amount of time can be placing pressure on your lower back.
This can be anything from reading, to watching television, to playing video games, working on your computer, anything!
Simple measures can be taken to avoid placing too much strain on ones back.
Sitting up straight with your lower back properly supported can do much to ensure your continued good health.
Whenever possible, try standing or taking brief walks to help alleviate this strain.
Working Out
This is a double edged sword.
On the one hand, taking proper exercise will strengthen your body which will offer greater protection and increase your bodies overall efficiency.
However, only perfect practice makes perfect.
If you are continually exercising in a way that is putting strain on your spine, you could be doing more harm than good.
Perfect your exercise technique to keep from placing pressure on your back.
Sleeping
Perhaps most surprisingly, sleeping can place strain on ones back.
If you sleep on your side you are placing strain on your back.
The best way to sleep in order to maintain excellent spinal health is on ones back.
When laying on ones back, the spine and neck are able to relax into a more neutral position for optimum health.
If you want to be especially proactive with taking care of your back, place a small pillow under neath your legs while sleeping.
This will further support your back while you count sheep.
Driving
You guessed it!
Driving can places strain on the lower back because you are sitting for an extended period of time.
The threat of this can be alleviated by taking occasional breaks.
However, there are other potential threats to ones spinal health that come along with driving.
Whiplash is a common injury that occurs after a car accident when ones neck has been hyper extended.
Hopefully that will remain an anomaly and will not be something you experience with every car ride.
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Texting
Texting itself does not place any strain on ones back.
However, the action of continuously looking down for extended period of time can affect the health of ones neck and upper back.
Try keeping your cell phone or any other item that you find yourself looking down on, at eye level.
This will lead to proper posture and will allow your neck and back to stay healthy for longer amounts of time.
Cooking
Similarly to texting, the art of cooking can lead to an extended amount of time looking down.
We’ve all heard the expression about “suffering over a hot stove to make dinner.”
It’s usually out of guilt to get a fussy child to eat their dinner.
However, the continuous leaning over could lead to actual suffering via back pain.
Take measures to keep from looking down too often.
Also, when leaning over to get pots and pans out of a lower cupboard or perhaps a roast out of the oven, bend with your knees not your back.
This will do much to prevent excess strain on your lower back.
Biking
Like working out, biking can actually do a lot to strengthen ones back.
However, like working out, riding a bike improperly can do much to further harm ones spine.
You need to ensure proper biking posture in order to ensure good health.
This means keeping ones spine in a neutral position.
Keep your balance stead and straight, leaning to one side over the other will put further strain on ones back.
Gardening
There are few greater pleasures than working with and cultivating nature.
However, like anything else its done improperly it may begin to take its toll.
All the extended kneeling and bending over in order to tend to the growing plants will undoubtably place strain on ones back.
However, there are things one can do.
Taking frequent breaks to walk and straighten the spine will help seep you from long term injury.
Softy foam gardening pads to place under ones knee will also help you from feeling future discomfort.
Playing Sports
Injuries are frequent and often while playing sports.
However, with proper stretching and warmups your body will be more ready to embrace the challenges of the field.
Like anything else, allowing your body to rest from its toil will go far in helping to ensure its continued good health.
If there is equipment required for your specific sport, please use it. It will only continue to keep you safe, healthy and ready to play again!
Conclusion
This list on the surface seems a bit overwhelming.
It appears that even the simplest of activities could eventually lead to spinal problems.
However, all these activities have a proper way of being done.
If you maintain good posture while performing these activities, you will keep you back as healthy as possible, ensuring your ability to keep doing what you love.
However, if you are unsure about what is required to keep proper posture and your spine healthy, come down and see us at Arrowhead Clinic Lithia Springs.
Our skilled professionals will be more than willing to come along side you and help you to keep healthy and to keep doing the things you love.
