One of the most common ailments of the modern age is back pain. Demanding work schedules, stressful long distance travel, and hectic lifestyle are the various causes of this ailment. Back pain can force one to frequently visit physicians, physiotherapists and take sick leaves from office. More importantly, it is very painful.
However, one can avoid and take precautions from this pain if one is fully aware of the major risk factors behind this ailment.
The following are some major risk factors identified by leading experts across the world:
1. Nature of Work
Manual work involving heavy weight lifting, continual bending and twisting could cause back pain. Expert reviews of the existing medical literature have conclusively co-related back disorders to the physically strenuous manual handling of heavy objects and materials.
2. Age
Medical studies have shown that with age, the vertebral column gets affected. The lower back is prone to disorders between the age of 35 and 55. For women, the bone density tends to decrease after menopause thus placing them at a higher risk for sciatica, fractures, and spinal disorder.
3. Gender
When considering the occupation, men are at a higher risk of experiencing back pain. However, another study concludes women to be at a higher risk. Gender may come into play due to the differences in lifting and work patterns.
4. Body
The physical dimensions of the body are also related to back disorders. A study reports that men who are taller than 180 cm and women who are taller than 170 cm are at a higher risk for lower back pain than people 10 cm shorter. A greater body mass and obesity also contribute to lower back pain.
5. Heredity
Recent research has pointed out that almost 30-39 percent of back-related problems could be genetic or hereditary. Even disk height and disc bulge were genetic.
6. Smoking
Among numerous other disadvantages, smoking contributes to back pain. Studies report that smoking restricts the nutrition and oxygen flow to the spinal chord thus making it vulnerable to damage and degeneration.
7. Lifestyle
It has been noted that people leading a sedentary lifestyle are more prone to back pain than others. Moreover, those who do not exercise regularly also are at a higher risk.
8. Social status and psychology
Men belonging to the lower economic strata are often employed in work that requires heavy physical manual labor that could lead to back problems. Moreover, mental stress and psychological factors like low job satisfaction etc. could be the risk factors for both men and women.
9. Previous back injury
An injury to the back in the past could increase the risk of back pain. Thus one has to be careful in the future so as to avoid a relapse.
Back problems may also be caused by very intricate and complex causes than the above mentioned factors which proves that the causes for the problem are numerous and multidimensional. However, the awareness of a few risk factors can always warn us from the discomfort and guide us to a better life.
Here are some practical and effective ways to prevent back pain:
- One could reflect on one’s posture and try to correct it. One should sit straight and not slouch while walking. Also wearing the appropriate footwear according to one’s body’s requirement and activity can help to lower the risk of back pain.
- Moreover, practice of yoga can also relieve and prevent back pain. However, it is suggested that one should practice yoga under the guidance of a professional yoga teacher and if one is already suffering from back pain, then consult the doctor before starting yoga.
- A regular exercise and fitness regimen under the guidance of a professional, also helps one to remain in good health and keeps all lifestyle related disorders at bay.
- Brisk walk everyday will reduce the risk of obesity, which is a risk factor for back pain.
