Back pain is a common problem, and it can be hard to tell how serious the problem is. If you’re experiencing back pain, you should assess your symptoms. It’s possible you could be dealing with a severe problem.
Most of the time it won’t be a serious issue. It may not even require seeing a doctor or taking any painkillers! You can help yourself by making some changes to where you sit and sleep. Over time, not having adequate back support can cause long-term discomfort.
Supporting your back on the go
Inadequate back support can cause poor posture. Having poor posture can make any existing back issues even worse. But investing in a new chair or mattress can be expensive. It can also be hard to tell if those items are the cause of the pain.
A cheaper way to try dealing with the issue is a back support brace. These work by restricting the position of your back and neck. This forces them into straighter positions. You can wear them under other clothing, and are ideal if you’re unable to do proper exercise. They’re also useful for other short-term back pains, such as lingering ones after pregnancy.
They come in several styles and strengths. If you’re considering a back support brace, there is an in-depth guide and comparison website available. Go to the website and see if this is the right option for you!
Chairs: at work and home
It’s 2016, and more people are working at a desk than ever! If you spend a lot of time sitting down at home or work, it’s vital you’re using a good chair. The Internet is full of websites where you can buy these. But it’s difficult to tell if you’ll be comfortable in any given seat. You should go to a furniture store and try one out yourself! Spend a few minutes sitting on a chair you see for sale. That way you should be able to tell if you’ll be comfortable in it long-term!
But what about the workplace? It’s not always as easy to acquire a new chair for your office! You can try speaking to your boss or the HR department if you’re worried about your seating. Studies show that uncomfortable chairs cause not only pain but also fatigue. We call the study of comfort and its effects on workplace efficiency ergonomics. Thanks to ergonomics, it can be easier these days to convince your boss to get better seating. What boss doesn’t want increased efficiency?
Quicker, cheaper methods exist if you can’t get a new chair straight away. A seat wedge can help keep your back straight while still ensuring comfort. If you’re in a tight spot, a rolled-up towel placed at the base of your spine can do the trick too!
Good night: the effect of sleep
It can be difficult to judge the long-term comfort of a mattress. Lying on one for a few moments doesn’t usually reveal what it’s like to spend an entire night on it. In general, if you feel comfortable on one after testing it out, you should be okay. You should be able to feel the coils and springs of the mattress as little as possible.
Staying comfortable throughout sleep often has little to do with the mattress. The problem is usually sleep itself! Restless nights can disturb your ability to rest your back enough. The side effects of medication, tobacco and alcohol use – these can all disturb sleep. Irregular sleeping patterns will also have a negative impact. Try to keep a consistent sleeping pattern. You should also try to maintain a balanced diet, with less sugar and caffeine. All of this will help you get a deeper, healthier sleep!
