Everyday Habits That Could Be Making Your Back Pain Worse

If you struggle with back pain, your daily habits may contribute to the problem without you knowing it. Repetitive movements, poor posture, and prolonged inactivity can put extra stress on your spine, leading to discomfort, stiffness, and chronic pain.

Neurosurgeon and spine specialist Max Steuer, MD, and physician assistant Carter Cooper, PA-C, help patients in Atlanta, Georgia, find the root causes of back pain and personalize treatment plans for lasting relief. 

In many cases, making a few simple changes to your daily routine can reduce strain on your spine and improve your quality of life. 

Sitting too much

Do you spend hours each day sitting at a desk, commuting, or relaxing in front of the television? Unfortunately, prolonged sitting places significant pressure on the discs in your spine and can weaken the muscles that support your back.

If you spend most of your day seated, try to:

• Stand up and stretch at least once per hour
• Keep your feet flat on the floor
• Use a chair that supports your lower back

Brief movement breaks throughout the day can improve your circulation and relieve stress on your spine.

Looking down at your devices

Phones, laptops, tablets, and other devices have become commonplace, but constantly looking down can take a toll on your neck and back. This posture, often called tech neck, forces your spine to support extra weight and can lead to muscle strain or a pinched nerve over time.

Thankfully, small adjustments can make a big difference. Hold your devices closer to eye level and pay attention to your posture when you text, scroll, or work on your computer.

Poor lifting habits

You don't have to lift heavy weights at the gym to injure your back. Everyday tasks, such as carrying groceries, lifting laundry baskets, or rearranging furniture, can strain your spine when you do them incorrectly.

To protect your back, bend at your knees rather than your waist, keep weighty objects close to your body, and avoid twisting when you lift or carry. 

Using proper body mechanics helps distribute weight more evenly and reduces unnecessary stress on your back muscles and spinal discs.

Skipping exercise

When your back hurts, avoiding activity seems like the right thing to do. But too little movement can make you stiff and worsen your pain. Regular exercise strengthens the muscles that support your spine, improves flexibility, and helps you maintain a healthy weight.

Low-impact activities such as walking and swimming are excellent options for keeping your back strong and healthy. If pain prevents you from staying active, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Steuer to determine if an underlying spine condition is causing your symptoms. 

Don’t ignore persistent back pain

Mild soreness from time to time affects almost everyone, but ongoing pain is your body's way of telling you something isn't right. If your symptoms persist despite lifestyle changes or affect your daily activities, please reach out to our team.

Certain symptoms may indicate a more serious spinal condition and should be assessed promptly, including:

• Pain that radiates into your arms or legs
• Numbness or tingling
• Weakness or difficulty walking

Dr. Steuer provides comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment that gets right to the source of your pain rather than masking your symptoms.

Schedule a consultation today with Dr. Steuer to discover what’s causing your back pain and get comprehensive treatment and fast relief.