Surprising Causes of Your Back Pain
It doesn’t matter if you are an elite level athlete or someone slaving away, chained to a desk for nine hours a day, statistics show that the majority of us will experience back pain at some point in our lives. It could be from being a weekend warrior in the recreational leagues or, as is far too common, it can be from our ever increasing sedentary lifestyles at work.
The back pain you are experiencing is not uncommon. Below are several back pain symptoms that can appear really at any time, slowing us down.
- Pain that tends to be achy and dull
- Difficulty moving, even walking or just standing
- Pain that also moves. Can travel through your lower back, and above your knees
Pain like this can be caused by a muscle strain or ligament in your back. This is one of the most common causes of lower back pain. We find this often times in athletes at the beginning of seasons, maybe they weren’t fully prepared coming into the season and when lifting a heavy object, or a sudden movement can cause this type of damage. However this can happen at your desk as well, or at home just reaching for a remote control. Our backs are sensitive and ligaments can be damaged very easily.
There are a couple of often overlooked factors that can contribute to your back pain as well. Some simple lifestyle changes may help.
- Slouching at your desk
- Lifting heavy objects
- Being overweight
- Not exercising
- Smoking
- Wearing high heels
A simple change to any of the above factors may help lead to a decrease in your back pain and hopefully some more pain free days at your desk. Stay tuned for some helpful hints on surviving your office politics, as well as some simple exercises to strengthen your self during your 9 to 5 grind.
~Sean Hogan has coached hockey at the international and collegiate levels for over ten years. He has spoken at numerous events about culture building, goal setting and healthy lifestyles. He holds a Master’s of Science Degree in Recreation and Sports Science with an emphasis on Coaching Education from OHIO University.