As many as 3 out of 4 Americans say that they experience back pain regularly. In some cases, it may be an isolated incident that led to their back pain, and in other instances, many find themselves wondering, “what’s going on?” The truth is that back pain is more than just painful— it can be downright debilitating, specially when you don’t know where it’s coming from or what the cause is. Here are some of the most likely reasons that you may have a sore back.
Work-Related Injury
Some jobs call for heavy-duty lifting. If you don’t have the luxury of machinery to do the lifting for you, then it can lead to unnecessary strain and significant injuries to your spine. If you lift heavier than 50 pounds at work regularly, then it could likely be taking its toll on your back. If your back pain has become chronic, you may want to ask yourself whether finding a new job is in order.
Stress
Many people think of stress as an emotional reaction to a situation. However, stress can also come in the form of physical pain. If you’ve been extremely tense lately, it may be leading to negative repercussions for your back. Try to pinpoint the time when your back hurts the most. If it’s stress-related you’ll find that your back starts hurting after extremely tense moments where you feel very pressured. Whether it’s at home, or on the job, try to limit the amount of stress you allow into your life, and you may find that your back pain goes away.
A Bad Mattress
Not all mattresses are created the same. Ask yourself when the last time you upgraded your mattress was. If you’re sleeping on a bed but isn’t properly supporting your spine, then it can lead to significant backaches. Even though a high-quality mattress can be a serious investment, it may be the answer to your back pain woes. Consider buying a new mattress, because your well-being is worth it!
Arthritis
Although you may not want to believe that it could happen to you, the truth is that it can. Arthritis affects tens of millions of people every year and is often the cause of people’s back pain. You may want to see your doctor and ask whether they think that arthritis may be at play.
Sports or Exercise
If you recently started taking up a new sport or exercise, it may take time for your body to adjust. Just make sure that you know the difference between muscular pain and spinal pain. Tightness is a totally normal reaction to moving your body in new ways, however, a dull aching pain is a sign of something much more serious, which means you should stop exercising and see a doctor.
