Back pains and aches are some of the most common health concerns among people today. From accident-related to everyday activities performed poorly, back pains and aches are reasons why we should observe good postures when performing any tasks.
Despite it being such a common condition, there are still many misconceptions circulating about back pains and aches that might mislead or confuse people. Hence, whether you are suffering from back pains and aches or not, we will explore some of the common misconceptions to keep you informed about the truth.
Misconception #1: Sitting up straight is the correct way
The truth: Many people underestimate the power of maintaining a healthy posture. What they do not realise is that slouching puts unnecessary stress on the spine and surrounding muscles. That is because when we slouch, our spine’s natural curve and body’s centre of gravity are thrown off balance. With that being said, that does not mean you should also be sitting completely straight.
The correct seated posture is not sitting at a perpendicular angle. It is sitting in a manner that does not disrupt our spine’s natural curve. The right way to sit properly is to keep your shoulders back, feet flat on the floor, knees slightly below your hips, your head straight, and your back leaning slightly backwards. If your work or studies require you to be at your desk for a prolonged period, then we suggest investing in an ergonomic chair with full lumbar support and adjustable features so that you can adopt the correct sitting posture effortlessly.
Misconception #2: The firmer the mattress, the better it is for your back
The truth: A mattress worth investing in is one that should be firm enough to keep you from sinking into it but also soft enough to allow your shoulders and hips to sink slightly if you are those who sleep on the side. It does not matter if you choose latex, memory foam, or pocket-sprung mattresses as long as you choose one that supports your weight and size adequately.
Apart from that, the ideal sleeping position is lying on your back as it does not twist your neck and head unnaturally to either side, putting your spine to rest. Hence, on top of choosing the correct mattress, you need to sleep on the right side.
Misconception #3: Exercising hurts your back
The truth: Rather than exercising hurting your back, it is a sedentary lifestyle that damages your back. What many do not realise is that most people suffering from back pains and aches are those who sit for prolonged periods.
In fact, exercising and stretching relieves back pains. Activities such as yoga, swimming, and brisk walking are examples of exercises that will strengthen your back.
Misconception #4: Back pains can appear suddenly
The truth: Back pains and aches definitely do not happen out of nowhere. You cannot get it just because you slept the entire night in an awkward position or you bent over a little too low.
If you experienced a sudden spasm or pain from those situations, it may have been because of the accumulation of bad postural habits that you have been adopting, such as overdoing exercise, employing poor techniques when lifting heavy objects, poor sitting postures, or excessive weight gain. Do not also be quick to dismiss a more concerning condition, such as joint and disc disorder. As such, it is always best to consult a medical professional on your back pains and aches.
Misconception #5: A hot bath can help to relieve back pains and aches
The truth: There is a degree of truth in that statement. While a hot bath does feel good, especially when you are experiencing muscle aches, you need to be extra careful as there are instances when the high temperature might actually worsen your back pains and aches.
If you are experiencing inflammation, rather than jumping straight into a hot bath, you should apply an ice pack on the affected area for twenty minutes for the first couple of days. Jumping straight into a hot bath could worsen the inflammation.
Conclusion
The thing about back pain and aches is that they are part and parcel of a natural process of ageing. However, that does not mean that you have to grit your teeth and bear with the pain just because it is “normal”. Staying active and maintaining the right posture when you are undertaking certain tasks and activities is some of the way to prevent unnecessary straining on your spine, which causes back injuries. On top of that, going for regular chiropractic care is another way to go.
In fact, do not wait for pain and aches to develop before seeking treatment. Regular chiropractic care is a great body management method to improve the quality of life, such as the quality of sleep, motion range, brain health, and many other non-pain-related benefits.
Here at Healing Hands Chiropractic, our musculoskeletal treatment encompasses a wide range of treatments, from upper and lower back pain treatments all the way to knee pain treatments. It is time to take charge of your overall well-being. Contact us to make an appointment today!
