During the long work hours, you hunch over or slouch at your desk finishing reports, answering emails and wishing the hours away. After work, you rush home to spend a few hours weeding the garden, helping the kids with homework and slaving over the stove…and yes, you probably slouch while doing so too. Don’t worry, everyone loves a good slouch, but did you know that it could be the cause of that niggling back pain that has been bothering you for months? You might be wondering, how can poor posture result in back pain? And, we will tell you how!
How Poor Posture Contributes to Your Aching Back
You might not feel that sitting and standing in a poor posture are having a negative effect on you. In fact, slouching and hunching can be quite comfortable while you are doing it. The problem is that over time, the stress that your poor posture is imposing on your spine actually leads to anatomical changes in your spine. And when this happens, back pain is the reward you get from the constriction of blood vessels and nerves. Does not sound so comfortable anymore, does it? It is not just blood vessels and nerves that lead to back pain. Poor posture can also cause issues with your discs, joints, and muscles.
How Can Poor Posture Result in Back Pain? Take a Look at Back Pain Characteristics
If you have poor posture, your back pain will display the following characteristics:
- The pain in your back is more noticeable at certain times of the day
- The pain generally starts in the neck but as the day wears on, you will feel the pain in the lower or upper back too
- Moving into a different position will decrease the pain temporarily
- The back pain is worse or less depending on what office chair and desk you use
Is Poor Posture Causing You Back Pain?
Now that we understand how poor posture can cause back pain, it is time to look at how maintaining good posture can turn your back-pain issues around.
How to Improve Your Posture
Avoiding back pain is actually quite a logical process. How you walk, sit, and lift things will affect your posture and any associated aches and pains. Here is how you can improve your posture:
Walk Tall and Proud
It is not just important to sit with good posture, you should walk with it too. When walking, look straight ahead and keep your head straight and balanced above your spine. Do not stoop your shoulders. Step gently on your heels and roll forward on your feet to push off from the front of your foot. How you walk, can make all the difference.
Get Support (When You Sit)
If you work in an office environment, you are probably seated at a desk for at least 8 hours at a time. Sitting correctly will make a huge difference to your posture and back pain. Hunching in your office chair is a big no-no. Do not sit at the front of the chair! Make sure you sit back in the chair with your back against the chair and your shoulders and head held up tall. Keep your arms flexed and slightly bend at the elbows when typing. Your knees should be kept level with your hips and your feet should be comfortably flat on the floor. You should adjust your office chair to allow for the correct posture at your desk.
Lift with Care
You can cause injury to muscles, joints, and discs if you simply yank heavy objects up and around. When lifting something, make sure that you keep your chest in a forward position. Bend your hips and not your back when you lift something up. If you are carrying something heavy and need to change direction, lead with your hips to avoid putting stress on your back.
If you are still asking “how can poor posture result in back pain?”, we are here to help you understand. Simply get in touch with us via email or telephone for more information and advice today.
