Unexpected Ways You’re Hurting Your Spine
We’ve all been there. You bend over the wrong way and throw your back out, or you spend a little too much time standing on hard surfaces at work. Ouch! It’s easy to take precautions to help alleviate the back pain we see coming, but what about the back pain that catches us by surprise? It might shock you to find out that certain everyday activities could be harming your spine, and you don’t even realize it!
#1 How You Sleep
Did you ever think that your mattress could be causing you back pain? If you’ve been sleeping on the same saggy, lumpy, or incorrect firmness level mattress for years, you can expect to be waking up to a nice sore back. Instead of getting a night of restful sleep, the muscles that support your spine are constantly tensing up as you try to get comfortable. This will cause these muscles to feel stiff and painful. Make sure you are sleeping on a mattress and in a position to support your spine properly.
#2 Sneezing
This might come as a shock, but when you sneeze, you could actually hurt your spine! While uncommon, a particularly shocking and powerful sneeze could potentially cause the joints in your spine to shift. If your spine is already comprised – think, a disc on the verge of herniating – you could have a disc slip or even cause painful muscle spasms.
#3 You’re Not Moving Enough
If you sit all day long at a desk and lead a generally sedentary lifestyle, your overall health will be affected. This includes your spinal health. The longer you sit, the more the muscles that support your spine will lose strength. It also increases the potential that fluid surrounding the joints in your spine will stiffen. This will lead to increasing levels of pain and discomfort. Try to get up and move, even better – exercise, at least 30 minutes every day.
If you’re experiencing spinal pain, it’s important to meet with your health care provider. For local expertise, Cape Fear Orthopedics and Sports Medicine’s Dr. Jason Eck is your go-to source. He’s not only the first spinal surgeon in Fayetteville; he is an award-winning spine surgeon! Call to schedule your appointment today at 910-484-2171.
