trucomfort
If you're anxious about suffering from back pain, it's important to take care of your back health. First, review this list of 12 risk factors associated with back pain and determine whether you are likely to encounter future back problems:
1. Age - Surprisingly low back pain typically occurs more frequently in people aged between 30 and 40. It becomes more common as age increases but this risk drops after the age of 65.
2. Fitness level - People who are not physically fit are more at risk of developing back pain since they are likely to have weak back and supporting abdominal muscles. Those who take up moderate exercise each day or practice low-impact aerobic exercise promote good spinal disc health - these discs cushion the vertebrae of the spine.
3. Diet and obesity - A diet that is high in fat and calories is likely to lead to obesity. Additional weight on the body can put extra strain on the back.
4. Heredity - Some causes of back pain, including disc disease, may have a genetic component.
5. Race - Studies of a condition called Spondylolisthesis - when the vertebrae of the lower spine slip out of place - have indicated that African-Americans are 2 to 3 times more likely to develop the condition than Caucasians.
6. Presence of other diseases - Other diseases which are present in the body may contribute to back pain. These include certain cancers and forms of arthritis such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
7. Occupation - If you have a desk or driving job that requires you to sit all day in an uncomfortable chair or if you are involved in work that requires heavy lifting, pushing or pulling (particularly when this involves twisting the spine), then you are more at risk of incurring back injuries or developing back pain.
8. Smoking - Though the actual practice of smoking does not lead to back pain, it can inadvertently lead to injury for the following reasons: repeated coughing can lead to back muscles being strained; smoking can slow down healing of existing back injuries; smokers are less likely to be physically fit which is another risk factor; smoking limits the body's ability to deliver essential nutrients to the back's tissues and discs.
9. Poor posture - If you have learnt poor posture habits over time, it is likely you will develop back pain in the long term. This is because poor posture leads to extra and unnecessary strain being placed on the back - over time this can lead to significant back problems.
10. Stress and emotional factors - Studies have shown that stress and long periods of depression can contribute to conditions such as chronic back pain. This may be because of elements such as the sufferer unconsciously tightening their back muscles when tensed or unhappy.
11. Pregnancy - A woman's body - and in particular her back - is significantly burdened by the weight of the baby she is carrying.
12. Sports - Some sports carry a significant injury risk when they are practiced, e.g., skiing, snowboarding, wrestling, contact sport such as football and rugby, and gymnastics. Other sports may put extra strain on the back, leading to pain.
If you find you are at an increased risk of developing back problems, make sure you learn how to care for your back's health every day to prevent back injury and keep it in good form. This includes investing in a good posture and back support for your desk chair or car, undertaking regular exercises which help strengthen the back, and learning good posture techniques which reduces unnecessary back strain.
Rachel Clarkson
Rachel Clarkson is the founder of the Back Pain Blog: http://www.trucomfort.com/blog
1. Age - Surprisingly low back pain typically occurs more frequently in people aged between 30 and 40. It becomes more common as age increases but this risk drops after the age of 65.
2. Fitness level - People who are not physically fit are more at risk of developing back pain since they are likely to have weak back and supporting abdominal muscles. Those who take up moderate exercise each day or practice low-impact aerobic exercise promote good spinal disc health - these discs cushion the vertebrae of the spine.
3. Diet and obesity - A diet that is high in fat and calories is likely to lead to obesity. Additional weight on the body can put extra strain on the back.
4. Heredity - Some causes of back pain, including disc disease, may have a genetic component.
5. Race - Studies of a condition called Spondylolisthesis - when the vertebrae of the lower spine slip out of place - have indicated that African-Americans are 2 to 3 times more likely to develop the condition than Caucasians.
6. Presence of other diseases - Other diseases which are present in the body may contribute to back pain. These include certain cancers and forms of arthritis such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
7. Occupation - If you have a desk or driving job that requires you to sit all day in an uncomfortable chair or if you are involved in work that requires heavy lifting, pushing or pulling (particularly when this involves twisting the spine), then you are more at risk of incurring back injuries or developing back pain.
8. Smoking - Though the actual practice of smoking does not lead to back pain, it can inadvertently lead to injury for the following reasons: repeated coughing can lead to back muscles being strained; smoking can slow down healing of existing back injuries; smokers are less likely to be physically fit which is another risk factor; smoking limits the body's ability to deliver essential nutrients to the back's tissues and discs.
9. Poor posture - If you have learnt poor posture habits over time, it is likely you will develop back pain in the long term. This is because poor posture leads to extra and unnecessary strain being placed on the back - over time this can lead to significant back problems.
10. Stress and emotional factors - Studies have shown that stress and long periods of depression can contribute to conditions such as chronic back pain. This may be because of elements such as the sufferer unconsciously tightening their back muscles when tensed or unhappy.
11. Pregnancy - A woman's body - and in particular her back - is significantly burdened by the weight of the baby she is carrying.
12. Sports - Some sports carry a significant injury risk when they are practiced, e.g., skiing, snowboarding, wrestling, contact sport such as football and rugby, and gymnastics. Other sports may put extra strain on the back, leading to pain.
If you find you are at an increased risk of developing back problems, make sure you learn how to care for your back's health every day to prevent back injury and keep it in good form. This includes investing in a good posture and back support for your desk chair or car, undertaking regular exercises which help strengthen the back, and learning good posture techniques which reduces unnecessary back strain.
Rachel Clarkson
Rachel Clarkson is the founder of the Back Pain Blog: http://www.trucomfort.com/blog