Is Your Lifestyle Causing Back Pain?

Upper back pain, lower back pain, neck pain, and radiating pain in your hips and buttocks can all put the brakes on your lifestyle, reducing your range of motion and leaving you uncomfortable and unable to stand up straight or rest comfortably. This can be especially challenging if you want to keep active in your sport or daily lifestyle!

Back pain is common, so you're not alone. About 80% of adults will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. It is the main reason for work-related impairment and the main reason for missed days at work.

The root cause of your back pain problems might actually be related to your way of life. Inactivity, poor warm-up habits, and incorrect form when lifting are common causes of back pain. Without identifying and changing these habits, you can get stuck in a negative cycle of chronic back pain.

Talk to the sports medicine and primary care providers at Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C. of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, about your habits and symptoms, and find out if you may be able to get relief with some simple lifestyle changes.

Back Pain and Wear-and-Tear

Staying athletically active is great for your health, but it can also increase your risk of repetitive use and wear-and-tear injuries to your back and spine. Many sports, including football, baseball, and tennis, can result in back pain without the right approach. Post-injury care makes a difference in your long-term back health. 

At Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C., our sports medicine providers are able to adjust your technique to protect your back from strains, sprains, and spinal wear-and-tear. We understand sports cause a toll on the body and can advise you on preventative means and knowledge to prevent future injury. 

We additionally guide you in developing a preemptive exercise plan to strengthen support muscles that may be able to relieve back pain. When your core muscles are strong and your warm-up routine helps your ligaments become engaged before intense activity, you’re less likely to injure your back in training or competition.

Back Pain and Lifting

Many people end up with chronic back pain due to lifting-related issues. Maybe you work out with weights for the resistance benefits. Or maybe you regularly bend and lift heavy objects at work, putting your back at risk of strains and injury.

You don’t need to give up lifting to relieve your back pain, at least not if your condition isn’t disabling. Small changes and interventions can make a big difference in reducing your discomfort. 

You might also need to adjust your form to avoid stressing your spine and back muscles. To relieve your back pain, isn’t it worth it to make changes to your lifestyle now, instead of waiting for the problem to become disabling?

Treating your Back Pain

Freedom from back pain could be just a few lifestyle changes away! Manual therapy, massage, and physical therapy may also be beneficial for your back pain as you adjust your lifestyle for a pain-free future.

Low-impact exercise is also a great way to stretch out an achy back. Depending on your current activity levels, you might need to start small and build up your fitness over time to avoid stressing your back as you begin to get active.

Talk to our team at Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C. about your back pain symptoms and lifestyle concerns, and get our expert recommendations today. Schedule your appointment by calling now, or book with our easy-to-use online tool anytime.