A chiropractor says there are five everyday mistakes people are making which can cause back problems. Dr Juliette Hobson believes many are not doing enough to reduce the pressure and stress of the day job, and over time, the build-up of tension can cause pain in the back.
Another error Brits are making on a day-to-day basis is not having a water bottle to hand at all times - because keeping hydrated ensures joints lubricated which reduces aches in the back. The doctor notes her clients with back pain often don’t eat enough foods which are rich in protein, which are important as they stimulate growth and repair within the body.
And also, when it comes to diets, too many sweet treats can cause issues around the back, as sugary snacks lead to inflammation and leave out nutrients which build strength in this area. Dr Hobson’s final warning is that people make the simple mistake of not walking around enough, suggesting everyone should set reminders on their phones to do so - especially office workers.
She said: “People may not know but our physical health and mental health are extremely connected - if the mind is stressed then this signals to the body that it’s in danger. The body reacts to stress by switching off the short muscles around the vertebrae, effectively letting these stabilising muscles go to sleep which makes them vulnerable to going out of alignment, causing spinal pain.
“This may cause the person further stress - meaning an ongoing cycle of pain and stress. It may sound obvious but getting up and moving around for 10 minutes, every 45 minutes really can make all the difference.
“Walking around is a great way to get muscles engaged again after sitting still when certain muscles haven’t been used in a while.”
Dr Hobson has teamed up with Equals Money, as part of its Pain Free Payments campaign, which aims to raise awareness about workplace stress causing physical discomforts. The payment solution business also commissioned research of 1,500 office workers, which found 88 per cent suffer from some form of physical pain - including back, neck or joint pain - while at work.
