Back pain is one of the most common ailments that people experience in the United States. According to the American Chiropractic Association, more than 30 million American adults are affected. The reasons that people experience back pain might come as a surprise, mostly because the causes are from the types of activities that most of us do every day. Things like exercising, the way you sleep and even the shoes you wear can have a drastic effect on the level of pain.
Back pain can disrupt many aspects of your life. When the pain becomes chronic, which means that it continues for an extended period of time (typically longer than three months), the issue can grow so severe that it may impact your ability to work and spend time with family.
Here are a few of the most common causes of lower back pain:
- Pregnancy
- Stress
- Weight gain
- Sedentary behavior (lack of regular exercise / physical activity)
- Poor footwear
- Smoking
- Heavy lifting
In addition to these primary causes, it is important to note that injuries sometimes happen, either as a result of one of these common causes or for another reason. Herniated and degenerative disks in the back are excessively painful and require medical intervention for relief.
If you are experiencing regular back pain, then you should consult with your orthopedic spine experts. Visiting your Long Island Medical Center is the first step you should take to address the issue. Talk to your doctor about potential causes of your back pain, and then discuss potential strategies you can use to hopefully alleviate the discomfort.
Making small lifestyle changes is often an effective practice when it comes to alleviating back pain, but it should never be your first course of action. Lifestyle changes, like finding better shoes that provide more support for your back, or adjusting how much time you spend in a sedentary position throughout the day can help reduce the severity of back pain, but typically work best when combined with medical intervention.