Back pain can feel so impossible to get rid of that many people seek a back pain chiropractor near Escondido to break away from the discomfort. Count yourself lucky if your back pain just comes and goes. Some people experience crippling, chronic pain, and over-the-counter painkillers don’t bring relief.
Certainly, you are not alone in your struggle. About 80% of people around the world may experience back pain at some point in life. Many factors can increase your chance of developing back pain. Listed below are ten of the risk factors for back pain.
1. Aging
Adults over the age of 30 are more prone to have sciatica than younger adults. Also, people between the ages of 30 to 60 years old are more likely to develop disc-related back problems, while people aged 60 and older have a higher chance of degenerative disorders such as osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis.
2. Genetics
Some studies claim that there is a genetic element for back pain sufferers. Anyone with a parent or sibling who has disc-related low back pain is up to four times more vulnerable to low back pain themselves.
3. Poor Posture
Having poor posture can increase your likelihood of developing sciatica later on. Poor posture involves many habits you may not be aware of such as looking down at your phone, improper lifting, slouching when you work in front of your computer, sitting on a wallet, standing with more weight on one leg, and always sitting with one leg crossed over the other. It may not happen right away, but eventually, bad posture can result in wear and tear of the ligaments, discs, and joints of the spine.
4. Job-Related Risks
Another thing that contributes to sciatica and injury are occupational risks. Some jobs require activities that can be hazardous for the spine, such as repetitive bending, twisting, and heavy lifting. Extended periods of sitting or standing can also result in the development of back pain.
5. Pregnancy
A woman’s body changes during pregnancy, and this may open the door for the development of back pain. As the fetus grows, more strain is put on the spine due to the extra weight carried by the body. Also, the ligaments in the pelvis become loose for the preparation of the birthing process, which brings back pain and discomfort.
6. Being Overweight
Back pain is very likely if you are carrying excess body weight as it can put more stress on the muscles, joints, and other tissues of the spine. The spine may absorb the pressure unevenly to compensate for the extra weight. As a result, you compromise the natural curve of the spine, causing early degenerative problems.
7. Lifestyle
A sedentary lifestyle and even overtraining can be problematic when it comes to developing back pain. Resting for too long or lack of regular exercise may increase your risk of back pain. Even worse news, it can aggravate the pain. According to a report, pressure on the discs of the lower back increases by 300% due to sitting for an extended period. The repetition of compression can result in pain, numbness, weakness, and degeneration of the spine. On the other hand, overtraining can also cause back pain. Overdoing weight lifting or reps, and improper form during exercise can lead to injury of the back.
8. Smoking
Smokers have a high chance of experiencing back pain that can potentially become chronic. Nicotine impedes healthy blood flow all over the body, including the discs, vertebrae, and other spinal tissues. Reduced blood flow can bring on pain, discomfort, and inflammation that get worse over time.
9. Other Health Conditions
Back pain can be due to underlying health conditions. Spinal-related problems are the most common culprits, such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Even conditions that are far from the spine can also cause back pain including abdominal aneurysm, ovarian problems in women, abdominal issues, and kidney stones. To learn the underlying cause of back pain, patients may need to undergo diagnostic tests and evaluations, x-rays, and MRI scans.
10. Spinal Misalignment
The vertebrae of the spine can move out of their normal alignment, causing back pain. Some of the reasons for the misalignment include wear and tear, trauma, and injuries in the head and neck. Misaligned vertebrae can bring on tension in the muscles, ligaments, joints, and discs of the spine. Unfortunately, the spinal column houses the brainstem and spinal cord, which are vital for the whole body to function. In other words, spinal misalignment can have far-reaching effects on the entire body.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic Can Correct Back Pain
People often overlook a common but frequently undetected underlying cause of back pain – a spinal misalignment, particularly in the atlas, the most freely moveable vertebra in the spine. The atlas is right at the junction between the neck and head, and when it moves out of its normal position, it can lead to a chain reaction of issues through the spine. An atlas misalignment can force the entire spine into a stressed position to compensate. Your one shoulder can look higher than the other, and your hips can tilt at an angle. This can cause pain in both the middle and low back.
Here at Rickards Chiropractic in Escondido, California, my focus is on moving back the normal alignment of the atlas to restore its function. Upper cervical chiropractic care is very gentle, accurate, and proven-effective in helping people to break away from back pain.
References:
https://stepandspine.com/take-load-off-spine-by-standing/
Consultation call to action:
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Rickards, call our Escondido office at (760) 274-0564. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.