If you are having back problems consistently, then it is likely due to something other than just the effects of old age. You likely have done many activities that had caused many problems and had negatively affected your spine.
What mistakes could you have possibly made, and what are you likely continuing to make? Let’s go over the 10 common activities that you do that are likely damaging your spine.
Driving For Long Periods
It is fine to go for a long drive or on a road trip to somewhere hours away. But if you sit for too long, you are not sitting in the best posture and it will only put pressure on your spine. This can lead to back problems. What you want to do is to take a break every hour to park somewhere and walk around for 15 minutes or go for a bite to eat. If you are on a long flight, you will want to walk around the aisle every hour as well for the same reason.
Brushing Your Teeth
When do you brush your teeth? Right after waking up and right before going to bed. When you wake up, your back is not warmed up enough to keep your bodies in an upright position for very long. And at the end of the day, you are tired and weary. Your sink is at a lower level and if you are brushing your teeth at that level, you are hurting your back. And you are doing it at times when your discs are even more vulnerable. The best thing to do is to use one hand to hold the wall to help you stay upright while you brush with the other. That will give you the support you need.
Carrying Heavy Backpacks Or Suitcases
If you are walking long distances and carrying heavy backpacks or suitcases, you are putting so much pressure on your back and hurting your spine. Don’t do it. If you need to carry your heavy backpack, carry it on your back with using both of those straps so the weight is distributed evenly. And when it comes to suitcases, pull the luggage with the strap and it will roll on the floor. There is no need to carry it around.
Replacing Your Tires
Is there a coincidence that you are experiencing back pain as you change your tires? It is a hard job and it will stress your spine. The way to do it is to get on the ground at the fender level and do not bend over the wheel as you do it. It is a very slow job and be sure to choose a day to do it ahead of time so you don’t need to tackle anything else.
Sleeping
It’s not uncommon for poor sleep positions to result in lower back pain, especially for stomach sleepers. We find that many of our patients who sleep on their stomachs experience back pain that is at least partially caused by poor positioning of the spine during sleep.
In order to fix the problem, we encourage our patients to either sleep on their back (perhaps with a pillow under their knees), or if the only way they can sleep is on their stomach, at least put a pillow underneath the lower abdominal area to allow the spine to maintain its natural curve while sleeping.
If you experience lower back stiffness in the mornings, it may be caused by a poor sleep position, so consider altering your sleep position and monitor your results.
Sitting At Your Desk For Eight Hours A Day
If you are working at your typical 9 to 5 job, you are sitting for eight hours a day straight. This is bad for your spine because you are likely slouching over. Just like you need to get up and walk around for 15 minutes if you were taking a road trip or a long flight, you need to do the same. Just get up from your desk to walk around so you don’t damage your spine.
Tying Your Shoes
If you are tying your shoes, you are bending down to do it and while you do it consistently, the common bending and twisting will thin the discs. This is how the nutrients and fluids leave the discs and the only time it can replenish itself is when you are asleep. When you need to tie your shoes, then elevate your leg on a step or a stool to do it so you don’t need to bend.
Carrying Too Many Grocery Bags
You just did your grocery shopping for the week and you have seven or eight bags to carry. Do not carry them all at once. That is going to put too much pressure on your spine. Take the cart up to the car and take a bag one by one to put it into the back seat. And when you get home, you will have to accept that you will need to take seven or eight trips from the car to your house to place the bags.
Reaching Out To Grab Heavy Items
When you reach something to grab it, your body is stretching itself out. And that is fine if you grab something that is light enough to carry. However, the issue is when you do that and grab something heavy to carry, it can put a lot of pressure on those discs in your spine that are spongey.
If you need to grab something heavy, then go stand on a chair to grab it so you are not stretching yourself out as much. And then carry the heavy object on your chest as that will reduce the pressure on your spine.
Getting Down To Wash The Floors
You already know how dangerous it is for your spine to keep bending and twisting yourself. That is what you do when you wash the floors as well. Don’t do it. Instead, use a broom or a mop, or a vacuum.
Washing Your Face
There is a good chance that you are bending down each time you wash your face which as you know puts a lot of pressure on your spine. When you wash your face, have a chair or a stool at the level of your knee to sit on will only help you remain in an upright position.
If you are mindful about how you do these activities you will then reduce the risk of damaging your spine even more. Stay careful and be careful, and stay healthy and keep your pain levels to an absolute minimum.
