By Hannah E. Whitcombe
Up to 85 per cent of us will suffer from back pain at some point in our life. Although most people make a full recovery, around half of sufferers will see their back pain return at least once. In this week’s blog we look at some of the main causes of recurring back pain…
Poor Posture
Posture is one of the most common causes of recurring back pain. Whether it’s whilst watching the TV in the evening or at your desk at work, poor posture is bad news when it comes to the health of your back. You can find out more about the importance of good posture by clicking here.
Degenerative Conditions
Degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis are another cause of recurring back pain. Although this cannot be cured, it can be easily managed and ongoing maintenance programs are an effective way to ensure that patients remain as pain-free as possible.
Your Job
If your job requires repetitive movement, you’re susceptible to returning issues. Spending prolonged periods driving, typing at your desk all day or, more obviously, heavy lifting, will wear down joints, muscles and tissue which of course ends up having a negative impact on your back. If your job does require repetitive movement and tasks, be sure to take frequent breaks to break up your routine.
Poor Muscle Strength
Weak muscles mean you’ll end up relying on your spine more heavily. Improving the strength of muscles – particularly in your core – will provide support for your back and reduce the pressure on your spine. Here are 21 really effective exercises you can do from the comfort of your own home which will help to improve your core strength.
Being Overweight
Additional weight bearing down on your spine causes it to arch more which puts extra force through the facet joints. In the longer term this can lead to the degeneration of these joints. As you’d expect, losing weight will mean that less pressure is put on your spine which reduces the likelihood of any future back problems.
Not Taking Action
We may be stating the obvious here but unfortunately it’s something too many people do (or rather don’t do). Too many people suffering with back pain simply never take any action at all to sort out their pain! If you are a victim of back pain and never get it checked out, then you’re of course more likely to end up with recurrent issues. Getting a proper, expert assessment and understanding your condition is paramount to a full recovery. If you’re currently suffering with back pain you can book a free consultation with one of our osteopaths by clicking here.
Failure To Complete Treatment
Finally, and almost as detrimental to your back pain as not taking any action at all, is failing to complete treatment and follow the course of treatment and exercises prescribed by your osteopath. There’s a reason that osteopaths prescribe specific courses of treatment and, as with most issues, a full recovery takes time. Failing to complete treatment will unfortunately leave you vulnerable to recurring back pain.
If you’re currently experiencing pain anywhere in your back and you’d like to speak to a member of our team or get a free, expert assessment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can call us on 0208 088 0614 or, alternatively, contact us via email at info@osteopathywestlondon.com