Back pain is one of the top priority conditions for upper cervical chiropractors in Riverton, UT, as it is a frequent cause for doctor visits among patients.
Experts estimate that around 100 million Americans will experience chronic back pain at some point in their lives. That translates to about 1 in 4 Americans, and 4 in 5 people will have some other form of back pain, as well.
Read on to learn seven reasons why your back might be hurting, and the drug-free solution you can you can use to relieve it.
1. UNHEALTHY WEIGHT
The more weight an individual has, the more weight the spine has to hold. An extra pound above the average weight puts extra pressure on the spine which could result in excess wear and tear in the long run.
This happens because too much weight alters your center of gravity, which means your spine doesn’t sit in its correct position. That’s why you may experience some relief once you shed some weight.
2. POOR POSTURE
Well, you remember when your teacher or parent used to tell you to maintain an upright posture as a kid? All they wanted was the best for you.
Poor posture, like slumped shoulders or a forward head position, puts additional strain on your spine. Wear and tear might take decades to cause significant erosion of disks found between the vertebrae, but the wrong posture can speed up the process.
3. SLEEP POSITION
Back pain not only disrupts your daily routine but can also affect your sleep. Furthermore, poor sleeping posture can worsen or even cause backpain. So, if you experience severe back pain in the morning, chances are that it is related to your sleeping position.
Certain sleep positions put more stress on your spine and so does the quality of your mattress and pillows. Sleeping on your stomach can harm you, as it will twist your spine throughout the night.
If you’re a side sleeper, place a pillow between your knees to relieve pressure from your lower back. This prevents your top leg from slipping, which would twist your lower back. For back sleepers, put a pillow behind your knees to lower the pressure exerted on the lower spine.
4. PROLONGED INACTIVITY
The relationship between weight gain, sedentary lifestyles, and back pain cannot be denied. A sedentary lifestyle is well-known to contribute to obesity and other weight-related issues that can lead to back pain.
However, some studies have shown that prolonged sitting can cause joints to stiffen up. Proper exercise will strengthen your core muscles, which support your spine and help you to remain upright.
If you don’t work out or haven’t worked out for a while, there is no reason to panic. You can begin with mild exercises like stretching or walking. But consult a health professional before you do new or vigorous exercise routines.
5. SMOKING
Smoking impairs blood flow, leading to low oxygen and nutrient supply to the spinal tissues. This weakens the discs that cushion the vertebrae and stimulates the rate of degeneration.
Nicotine in cigarettes also lowers calcium absorption and inhibits new bone development, leaving smokers with a high risk for osteoporosis and slower healing after bone fractures, which can result in back pain. Quitting smoking could be a big deal when it comes to fighting chronic back pain.
6. STRESS
Stress impacts the body in numerous ways, from mood changes to headaches and weight changes. However, an often overlooked effect of stress is spinal pain.
Over time, stress can result in musculoskeletal issues in this region of the body. When you’re stressed, your body naturally releases certain hormones that cause the muscles around the spine to tense and spasm. This is why you need to avoid stress.
Here are a few useful tips:
- Open up to someone. Whether it’s a close friend or a loved one, sharing your troubles with someone in a judgment-free environment can help to freshen your mind.
- Take time to relax. Taking a vacation can be a good option, but if you can’t afford to be away for a long trip, a weekend or a day away can also be useful. Also, taking short breaks throughout the day can be a great way to rejuvenate yourself.
- Do something you love. Your hobby can also be an awesome way to fight stress. Whether you enjoy taking time to read a book, play an instrument, or listen to music, you can benefit so much in terms of shifting your mind from the cares of the day.
BACK PAIN: A RESULT OF SPINAL IRREGULARITIES
Misalignments in the spine often cause back pain, and frequently, the source of the pain is the neck. When the neck misaligns, the rest of your spine deviates from its natural position and can damage the nerves that leave the spinal cord. This results in irritation to the muscles of the spine. The irritation frequently leads to tighter muscles on one side versus the other, causing an unlevel pelvis and distorted posture. This body imbalance and or pelvis distortion can result in prolonged back pain.
This type of misalignment needs correction for patients to find long-term relief. Chiropractors who specialize in the upper neck utilize imaging techniques to precisely locate where the misalignment exists and correct it using extremely gentle adjustments.
Now, if you’re trying to fight back pain, visit Balanced Chiropractic in Riverton, Utah. You might find out that the method of upper cervical chiropractors in Riverton, UT, is simply the natural solution you’ve been looking for.
To schedule a consultation with Balanced Utah Chiropractic, call our Riverton office at 801-477-7222. You can also click the button below.