Low back pain is one of the topmost reasons people visit their physicians and chiropractors, and studies have shown there are roughly four or five common predictors of low back pain. In order to diagnose the actual pain triggers, we perform examinations as well as send patients for MRI’s and X-rays because a good diagnosis is essential in prescribing a plan for wellness.
These are five of the most common predictors of back pain, and although physicians have been teaching and pushing patients to take precautions to control these predictors for years, it is no less important today. You will benefit greatly from making wiser eating choices, losing excess weight, continuing to exercise, and of course, quitting smoking.
Obesity
Obesity plays a key role in low back pain and unfortunately, it has become a part of our modern culture to be at least somewhat overweight. When we put on excess weight, we also become more forward weight bearing mechanically, which puts pressure on our lower back. Secondary to obesity are spinal stabilizers which affect our core. If our core isn’t functioning properly, chronic low back pain sets in which is reflected in injuries after bending and lifting. People become more prone to accidents and injuries when their core is weak.
Aging
Aging plays a very large role in low back pain and just recently I did MRI’s on two female patients, one being 42 years old and the other being 65. Both had the same MRI findings, but the 42 year old manifested with different symptoms. This is commonly due to body mechanics. As we age, the margin for error decreases and it becomes more important that we pay attention to our eating habits, our weight, and our exercise because all of these play a factor in low back pain.
Smoking
Smoking is also a common predictor of low back pain. Although it’s common knowledge that smoking is bad for your heart and lungs, many people don’t realize that smoking is bad for your spine. It can cause advanced arthritis and disc disease because it speeds up the dehydration process in a person’s discs. Aging begins this degenerative process, but smoking hastens this process even more. Smoking is something we can control and if you smoke a pack or more of cigarettes a day, it’s imperative that you slow down or stop smoking altogether for the health of your back.
Sedentary lifestyles
Sedentary lifestyles are yet another predictor of chronic low back pain. I refer to this as cumulative trauma which means that over time a lack of exercise and/or a poor diet contributes to poor mechanics in our bodies. The best thing we can do for ourselves is to keep moving and keep exercising. Lack of motion on a regular basis breaks down our body mechanics and when you add the normal progression of aging, you are setting yourself up for chronic low back problems.
Desk jobs
Desk jobs are last, although not the least of the predictors of low back pain. Sitting at a desk, behind a phone or in front of a computer increases pressure on the lower back which, over time, causes problems. Maintaining good posture through good ergonomics is important, especially when you consider the fact that many people spend 8 to 9 hours at a desk on a daily basis. We talk to patients about what are called “micro breaks.” Micro breaks encourage movement every 10 to 15 minutes, and there are timers that you can download to your computer which will remind you to take these little breaks.
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