Lower back pain is incredibly common and it’s likely that you’ll find yourself experiencing symptoms at some point or other throughout your life. Typically, these symptoms will improve within a few weeks, but they can manifest for longer or come back, so it’s important to know what to do to help ease the pain but also to protect your lower back in the future.
Common causes of back pain include injuries, such as muscle strains, but sciatica (trapped nerves), slipped discs and ankylosing spondylitis (inflammation of the spine and other parts of the body) can also lead to this kind of pain.
Back pain can also be caused by an infection, cancer or a broken bone, but it’s important to remember that this is rare and it is likely that the cause is down to something else.
To help protect your lower back, maintaining a strong core can prove very beneficial. Core-building exercises include low-impact cardio such as walking, which keeps the muscles healthy and in use, while increasing blood flow to the spine.
How you sit can also have an impact on your lower back, so try to be more mindful about your positions – especially if you have an office job and sit at a desk on a regular basis. Ergonomic chairs can help keep your back aligned, or you could consider using a stand-up desk for some (or all) of the working day.
And it can also be useful to think about how you lift everyday objects. Lifting items incorrectly can lead to back pain if you’re not careful, so it’s important to bend at the knees when picking objects up, rather than bending at the lower back. Try to avoid twisting your lower back while lifting, as this can put extra pressure on your back and spine.
If you do find yourself experiencing back pain and are starting to worry, get in touch with us today to discuss physiotherapy in Maidenhead.