If you have a job that requires you to sit all day…watch out, you will be more at risk of back pain from sitting too much.

Stuart McGill is a researcher and expert in spine biomechanics from the University of Waterloo. He states that, “Back pain is usually caused by the things you’ve done and not done. Unless your back pain is related to a specific injury, chances are your back health has been deteriorating slowly and steadily over time.”

The problem is that most people between the ages of 20-55 sit too much, which will put you at risk for disc problems. Think about it…if you sit at a desk job all day and then go home to sit on your computer as a past time, wow, this should be no surprise that you are putting way too much pressure on the discs in your spine.

Also added to the problem of sitting too much is the fact that people have poor posture, overuse their back, and may have poor movement patterns. All of this added together will truly aggravate your back.

What can you do now that you are at the ‘pain stage?’

For most people the combination of manual therapy and exercise works best. However, everyone’s situation is unique and should be treated that way. Your treatment MUST be tailored to your specific problem.

Get a notepad and begin to jot down what postures hurt and don’t hurt. What kinds of movements cause you pain? How much weight can you lift before you begin to experience agony?

Always consult a back care specialist before you do anything that can make your problem worse. In the meantime, ice it and rest.

Once you are on the mends…remember to always include exercise on a daily basis as a preventative treatment. Even a simple walk will do the trick. Only walk until the pain kicks in and then stop. The next day you may be able to walk a little further before the pain kicks in. Keep trying the walking each day until you are able to travel with more ease. Once your physical body is stronger and pain free you will have more FREEDOM in your life. When you live in daily pain, your entire existence is likely based upon the pain that you feel. This is understandable. Back pain can truly limit what you can do both physically and mentally. Make it a priority to work towards living in a pain free body and begin to experience your life to the fullest!

When you begin a weight lifting program you do not want to overdo it. Aim for light weights at a high rep, so that you are not too taxing on your back. Once you are able to lift the weights more easily, you may begin to increase the intensity. This could be in the form of slightly higher weights, or less rest between sets.

Cheers to health,

Angie
ISSA – C.P.T., B.Ed.