It is said that out of every ten Americans, eight of them will suffer with lower back pain at some point. There are a variety of reasons that people experience lower back pain and it is thought that it is the second commonest reason that we seek the advice of a health care provider.
For Men and Women
Men and women share common causes of back pain such as an injury to the back or spine, certain medical conditions such as arthritis or osteoarthritis, stress, strain and fatigue. Poor posture and weak back muscles are often the cause of lower back pain in women as well as men. Moving the wrong way, being on your feet for long periods of time, frequent heavy lifting and sitting at a desk for most of the day can all cause people to suffer with lower back pain. Sciatica is another common cause that men and women share for lower back pain.
For Women Only
Not only can women suffer from back pain from any of the above mentioned causes, but they can also suffer from a variety of gynecological issues as well as pregnancy. Fibroid tumors, menstrual cramps and endometriosis are all special issues that target only women that can cause lower back pain. Women are prone to developing osteoporosis too. Osteoporosis is when there is not enough calcium for bones to stay strong.
Keeping your muscles in the legs, abdomen and back strong is one way to reduce or eliminate lower back pain in women and men. People don't realize how important physical fitness is when trying to manage lower back pain.
It has been recently noted that smoking too can be the root cause of lower back pain in women and men. Those with hypertension, coronary artery disease and a history of smoking have now been found to be at risk for developing lower back pain. So not only is your physical fitness a factor, but your overall health can be the cause of your lower back pain.
How to Combat Lower Back Pain
If you must sit at a desk and labor over a computer for most of your workday, having ergonomically friendly office furniture can go a long way in preventing lower back pain from this cause. Ergonomic chairs and keyboards allow the body to be in the proper position and help to keep correct posture that is so often the cause of lower back pain. Regular chairs make one slump and having a chair that will enable you to sit properly can help.
Start an exercise routine. It doesn't have to be anything vigorous, simple and gentle exercises that incorporate stretching techniques can help to strengthen the core muscle group that is responsible for helping to support the spine. Feed yourself well, get plenty of rest and if you smoke, stop. Not only your health but your well being is affected by smoking. You can also take medications or schedule a visit with a masseuse or a chiropractor. Good health and fitness can't be stressed enough when it comes to lower back pain in women and men.
Hip and Lower Back Pain Tip #1
Back pain is one of the most common forms of bodily pain. It is estimated that eight in ten people will be affected by back pain. Amazingly, back pain is one of the easiest injuries to prevent. |
Hip and Lower Back Pain Tip #2
Believe it or not, cigarette smoking can increase a person's risk of developing lower back pain and sciatica. What's more, smoking can prolong the healing process which means that back injuries, surgery and bones will cause pain for a longer period of time. |
Hip and Lower Back Pain Tip #3
The best thing a person can do to keep his or her back healthy is to get regular exercise. In addition to a few muscle specific exercises that can be found by way of a simple web search, it has been proven that exercises geared toward balance and strength (like yoga) can help a person decrease his or her risk of falling and causing injury to the back muscles. |