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It is commonly known that lifting heavy objects improperly and placing excessive loads on your spine can lead to lower back pain issues, but did you know that there are a variety of everyday activities that can contribute to it as well?

Here are some of the most common things that most people do that could be causing back pain without us realizing it.

Driving

It’s true, your daily commute could be the source of your chronic back pain. If you have a long commute or a job that has you sitting in a vehicle for an hour or more each day, your lower back pain could be caused by your driving posture.

To alleviate the strain on your lower back while driving, make sure to sit up straight with your back completely against the seatback. Drivers often sit in the middle of the seat or hunch forward while driving, causing the lower back to lose the support provided by the seat.

Many newer vehicles come with seats equipped to help people with back pain, including features like side bolstering, heating, and even air conditioning.

Sleeping

Poor sleeping position commonly results in back pain, especially for those who sleep on their stomach.

Learning to sleep on your back, or putting a pillow underneath the abdominal area when sleeping on your stomach will allow the spine to maintain a proper curvature through the night.

If you often wake up with a stiff back in the morning, it may be caused by a poor sleeping position.

Sitting at a Desk

Thanks to technology and modern society in general, we are spending more time than ever sitting at desks. Our lifestyles are more sedentary, and we have the back pain that proves it.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has recommended the use of standing desks to help alleviate chronic back pain and boost productivity.

If you think your desk job is causing your back pain, we can work with you to create a treatment plan that will help alleviate your discomfort and improve your quality of life.

An estimated 90% of people will experience lower back pain at some point in their lives, and pinpointing causes and treatments can be difficult without professional help. If you’re ready to take back control of your life from bothersome back pain, the back and neck specialists at Orthopaedic Associates of St. Augustine are here to help. Request an appointment online or call at (904) 825-0540 to make an appointment.

 

Casey McClone, MD
Board Certifications in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. Dr. McClone specializes in treating musculoskeletal pain for patients of all ages with ultra-sound guided injections.