Chiropractor in Hurst TX Asks If
Your Job Is Hurting Your Back

Back pain in Hurst TX is one of the most common reasons for missed work. Experts estimate that as many as 80% of the population will experience a back problem at some time in our lives. With these odds against us, we must ask if there are any back pain risk factors that should be avoided. Most of us are unable to change our current occupation and we certainly can't select or change our genetic make-up. One area we can change is how we perform daily activities. Some small changes in the way we do things can make a big difference between severe pain and some soreness.

The construction industry has some of the most backbreaking jobs such as concrete workers, carpenters, heavy machine operators and mechanics. While these occupations are more likely to suffer from back pain, office workers are more susceptible to other injuries like neck pain and carpal tunnel symptoms. Every job places a unique stress on our bodies which will affect different areas of our spines.

In the construction industry, lifting heavy objects is a common daily activity. Lifting heavy objects, especially in tight quarters, increases the pressure on the muscles, ligaments and discs in the lower back. The spinal discs, muscles and ligaments can be easily damaged by doing a twisting motion. Lifting improperly (bending, lifting and twisting) should always be avoided no matter how light or heavy the object is. You should use the same lifting mechanics whether you're picking up a piece of paper that fell on the floor or a 20 lb. box. Keep your back straight, bend at the knees and lift with your legs.

Prolonged sitting can also cause damage to the spine. The spinal discs in our lower backs act like sponges. When we move our spines, fluid and nutrients are exchanged within the discs to keep it healthy. When you are sitting all day, no motion is introduced into the spine and the discs in our lower backs become compressed. This is also the reason why you get stiff and sore when you get up and start moving after sitting a while. Once you get fluid and nutrients into the disc, the stiffness and soreness will ease up.

Similarly, when we sleep the discs in our spine tend to swell as fluid and nutrients are brought into the disc. When you get up in the morning this can also produce stiffness and soreness until you introduce motion into the spine to squish out some of the excess fluid and nutrients. We see a lot of people with back stiffness and soreness from both sitting for long periods and when getting up in the morning. These symptoms are an indicator of an underlying problem that needs to be evaluated.

Each job places its own unique demands on our bodies and should be assessed accordingly. Whether on the job or at home, proper spinal posture is fundamental to your overall health and is the best way of preventing back injury.

Here's What to Do Now in Hurst TX

To experience maximum value from our clinic, please take the following 2 steps now:

1. Like our Facebook Page here. We have a growing Facebook community, and we'd love to have you as part of it!
2. Call our office at (817) 514-1908 to set up your consultation.  We're never too busy to help you!