Back pain, especially lower back pain, is a very common problem. One that seems to get in the way of everyday routine life. Around 10% of the world’s population suffer long term and up to 80% of us will experience back pain some point in our lives. It’s predicted that the cost of back pain treatment in America last year alone was in excess of 50 billion dollars! Alarmingly, these figures look set to rise further as the number of 18 – 24 year olds suffering is on the increase.
With back pain being so common, there are obviously many potential causes and catalysts. These range from sporting sprains and strains, to simply lifting a heavy object in the wrong manner. Pain from these types of causes will often rectify themselves over time and can be assisted with physiotherapy to help speed up the process.
Unfortunately, the suspected main cause of lower back pain, is that, we as a population spend more time sat at desks and less time walking around or exercising. The British Chiropractic Association (BCA) claims that on average, people spend 10 hours a day sat down and less than 2 hours per day being active. These figures are even more true for those who do desk jobs, with some of these people sat for as many 14 hours a day.
The ‘modern lifestyle’ is increasing the likeliness of someone developing back pain. While it may not be feasible to completely eradicate the triggers from your day to day lives, there are in-fact some simple steps that will reduce the risk of developing back issues and also minimise the discomfort caused for those already suffering.
- Sit up straight in your chair. Ensure you sit right against back of your seat, with your shoulder blades in contact with the rest of the chair.
- Properly position your computer screen & office chair. The top of the screen should be just above eye-level and your chair should be adjusted so you can use the keyboard with your wrists and forearms straight and level with the floor. Your feet should be flat on the floor with your knees slightly lower than your hips. Keep your mouse as close to you as possible and avoid over stretching.
- Take regular breaks. Don’t sit for more than 30 minutes at a time without stretching or walking around for a few minutes. Just a two 2-3 minute walk or stretch every hour can significantly reduce stiffness and pain throughout the day.
If sat at a desk for long periods of time, it is often pro-active to wear some form of back support. The Magnopulse Back Pad is ideal in this situation. It offers direct physical support from the pad itself, and incorporates a powerful magnetic system which studies suggest will offer an improvement in circulation and a calming of the body’s nerve signals.