Have you been suffering from chronic pain? If so, then your daily health habits could be contributing to your back pain. Making a couple of lifestyle changes can help alleviate pain. Below are five habits that have been shown to cause back pain:
Poor Posture
Poor posture often leads to back pain. It puts stress on your spine and adds strain to your muscles. Additionally, poor posture can change your spine’s anatomical characteristics. Exercising is one of the many things that can help improve your posture. Bicycling, swimming and walking are some of the exercises that are recommended for a healthy back.
Smoking
Most people are well aware of the fact that smoking is bad for their health, but many of them do not know that smoking can cause chronic pain. Smoking constricts your blood vessels, which reduces the amount of blood that flows to your muscles. It can also lead to inflammation. If you are a current smoker, then you should talk to your doctor about things that you can do to quit.
Not Getting Enough Calcium and Vitamin D
Calcium and vitamin D are two of the nutrients that are essential for bone health. You can very easily get the recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D by following a healthy diet. Low-fat dairy products are a great source of calcium. Vitamin D is found in salmon, soy milk and fortified cereals. If you still struggle to get the recommended amounts of vitamin D and calcium, then you should talk to your doctor about taking a supplement.
Incorrect Lifting Technique
Many injuries occur when one lifts something that is too heavy. According to the experts at Healthy Back, when you are lifting, you should make sure that you bend your knees and avoid twisting. You also want to get someone to help you if you are lifting something that is very heavy.
Being Sedentary
Exercise may be the last thing on your mind if you are suffering from chronic pain. However, it can potentially help reduce your pain. When you exercise, you improve blood circulation. Exercise also helps reduce inflammation. That is why you should try to get some type of exercise in every day.
In many cases, chronic pain can be caused or worsened by lifestyle habits. Poor posture, being sedentary, incorrect lifting technique and smoking are some of the things that can cause pain. A lack of vitamin D and calcium can also contribute to chronic pain.
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