We’ve all felt that all too familiar twinge in our lower back that makes us shout out in pain. More often than not, you’ll do a few stretches, hope the pain goes away and chalk it down to old age!
The reality is back and neck ailments are more common now than ever. For a Chiropractor Moorabbin locals often find these services are booked well in advance due to the increase in back-related ailments.
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Are Our Bad Habits the Reason We’re in Pain?
Most chiropractors agree about one thing – our current habits are doing us more harm than good! Read on for a list of habits that may cause you some serious back or neck issues down the line.
1. Continuous Sitting
Whether you work online, work from home or work in an office, chances are you spend a considerable amount of time on your chair. While you might have invested in a top-of-the-line office chair, you might still end up with back and neck pain.
Follow these few steps to alleviate the pain in your back when you’ve been sitting for too long:
- Take breaks often and walk around the room or office.
- If possible, go outside and walk around in the sun and fresh air.
- Stretch your arms and back.
- Use an ergonomic chair for maximum support.
- Don’t slouch in your chair – always sit up straight.
- Do a mini-workout during lunch to loosen your muscles.
2. Staring down at Your Phone for Long Periods
We’re all guilty of this at some point – staring down at our phones! In a world where you can do everything from chatting to friends and family to sending work emails on your devices, it’s difficult to not be on your phone.
If you want to avoid excessive pain in your thumbs, hands and neck, it would be a good idea to try the following:
- Consider using a hands-free device for the periods you MUST be on the phone.
- Try to raise your phone higher to minimise the need to look down the whole day.
- Take regular breaks from your phone (this will be good for your eyes as well).
- Where possible, check your emails and messages once every few hours, rather than ALL the time.
3. Carrying Around Heavy Bags
In a world where we’re constantly on the move, we often carry bags with us wherever we go. After all, we need somewhere to store our devices, earphones, charges, lunches and snacks.
While the bag itself isn’t necessarily the problem, a major concern is the weight we often pile into our bags! If you must carry a bag around with you, consider these tips:
- Use a bag with proper back support and adjustable straps.
- Pack only what’s necessary for each day.
- Clear out old receipts, snacks, and excessive amounts of coins.
- Alternate the way you carry your bag – don’t use the same shoulder all day.
- Get into the habit of clearing out your bag every few days.
4. Exercising at a High Intensity
While your chiropractor encourages your desire to lose weight and get fit, giving yourself a workout that’s too intense, does more harm than good. Certain types of exercise place a tremendous amount of stress on your body and increase the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
To avoid these types of injuries, consider these few tips:
- Before beginning an exercise regime be sure to consult your doctor. They will advise you if your chosen option is suitable for your current physical condition.
- If possible, consult a personal trainer to assist you to avoid injury.
- Moderation is key. You don’t have to do all the exercises in one session.
- Be sure to warm up and cool down before and after each exercise session.
- Drink enough water to ensure your body stays hydrated.
5. Ignoring a Small Problem
Part of human nature is often to wait until the worst-case scenario before dealing with something. Leaving a small dull ache till it becomes a flaming stabbing pain often leads to a bigger problem.
If you’re not sure if your back or neck pain is serious, arrange to visit a chiropractic clinic Moorabbin locals trust. They will help you deal with that ache before it becomes a major pain in the neck!
Final Thoughts
Modern-day living is stressful enough without adding physical pain to try and complete something as simple as our jobs! If your job requires long hours of sitting in the same position, be sure to follow our tips on how to loosen up during the day. Give your body a break and take it easy!