For most workers, 8 hours a day, 5 days a week are spent doing the same thing, whether it’s sitting at a computer, driving a vehicle, or moving around. Our bodies don’t like this, being in the same position, sitting or standing or doing some kind of manual labor for extended periods and make their objections known with pain and stiffness. Some jobs are worse on your back than others and these workers find themselves suffering from back injuries more frequently.
Jobs That Cause Back Pain
Landscapers―Landscapers spend a lot of their time bent over or kneeling while planting, pruning, or weeding, or moving heavy objects like rocks or dirt.
Firefighters―Firefighters go from waiting for an alarm to moving quickly to get to a fire. Anytime your body goes from being inactive to rushed activity, it risks injury. While fighting a fire, firefighters lift heavy hoses, swing axes, and even carry people.
Mom or Dad―Being a parent is not only a thankless job, it’s a strenuous one. Leaning over while changing diapers, carrying a toddler on your hip, and carrying a prepared-for-every-possible-eventuality diaper bag can wreak havoc on your back.
Auto Mechanic―Even with a lift to make it easier to work under a vehicle, being a mechanic requires a lot of bending and twisting to do the job.
Office Workers―Sitting in a chair all day can cause as much back pain as one that requires heavy lifting. And it can be terrible for your posture.
Nurses―Nurses have to move patients and heavy equipment, all while standing on their feet for extended shifts.
Truck Drivers―Truck drivers always rank high on the list of jobs that cause back pain. Sitting in the cab of a truck for 8-10 hours at a stretch, keeping the body in one position is extremely harmful to the back and neck.
You don’t have to have one of the jobs listed above to have back pain or risk injury to your back. Any job that involves lifting like retail or warehouse workers, or repetitive motion like factory workers, or jobs where you may be on your feet all day like restaurant workers can cause injuries or long-term pain.
What You Can Do
There are some things you can do to prevent back pain while working. If you sit at a desk all day, take frequent breaks to get up and walk around and stretch your muscles. The opposite is true if you’re on your feet all day. If you must lift heavy objects, lift with your knees and wear a back support belt. If possible, don’t go from sitting to running without stretching your legs a bit. If you do any repetitive motion, wear a support brace or try to change up the movement when you can. Whatever job you have, the best way to protect yourself against pain or injury is to stay in shape. Regular exercise that strengthens your core will go a long way to protecting your back.
If you’re experiencing back pain, North County Pain Relief can help. At North County Pain Relief, we offer a natural, drug-free approach to healing and put the health and wellbeing of all of our patients above all. If you’re experiencing back pain or any other type of pain, call us today at (314)731-4201 and schedule an appointment. We’ve got your back!
