Why Does My Back Hurt?

It’s common to experience varying ailments as our bodies age, but one of the most prevalent issues that most adults will experience at some point in their lifetime is back pain. According to the Global Burden of Disease, lower back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide and it’s estimated that as much as 80% of the population will experience varying back problems.

 

With that said, stop for a moment and take stock of how you’re sitting or reading this post. Are you slouching? Huddled over a laptop or mobile phone with bad posture? Do you feel any soreness, discomfort or pain in your back?

 

If you answered any of the following as ‘yes’, you may be contributing to one of the greatest health threats that we face. It’s important to pay close attention to your back and maintaining its health and there are numerous ways to combat the onset of back pain – many of which simply require a small change in our daily habits and routines.

 

Maintain Proper Posture – In our sedentary world, it’s very easy to remain stationary for extended periods of time – especially while at work. During this time, many remain slouched over a computer, which puts added pressure on the mid and lower back. It’s crucial to maintain good, ergonomic posture in order to avoid developing back pain. Also, getting in a routine of regularly getting up, stretching and walking around for a few minutes can also be beneficial.

 

Exercise Regularly – Exercise is often overlooked and many times avoided when someone is suffering from back pain – yet this is one of the best ways to alleviate any pesky ailments. By exercising, even by performing an activity as basic as walking, your back is kept in a naturally aligned state, increasing blood circulation and decreasing strain on any particular spot. At best, try to avoid any exercises that keep the back compromised, strained or bent for extended periods of time.

 

Ice, Heat, Repeat – If you’re already experiencing mid or lower-back ailments, rotating between cold and hot packs can help ease pain. If you have suffered a serious injury, begin with the application of ice for the first 48 hours, then switch to a heated application. Regardless, make sure that the ice or heat is not applied directly to the skin to avoid skin damage or burning.

 

See A Specialist – At Methodist McKinney, we offer a wide range of physical therapy services, administered by highly trained physical therapists and specialists. If your pain is intolerable, you can visit one of our seven PT locations and we’ll help you get back to normal.

 

“Back pain can be debilitating, both physically and mentally, so don’t wait to seek treatment,” said Julie Hughes, PT, MPT, Cert. MDT. “Most cases can be corrected in a few visits with a thorough PT consultation – alongside proper posture techniques, exercises, and stretches that are specifically prescribed for you.”

 

We always have your health and wellness as our top priority. If you suffer from any back issues or pain in general, let our experts at Methodist McKinney Hospital help!

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