How to Prevent or Improve Back Pain
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Medical studies have shown that the most common cause of back pain is poor sitting posture. The human body was not designed to remain in a sitting position for long periods of time. The lower part of the spine curves inward toward the stomach naturally. When sitting, this causes a space to form between the chair and the lumbar spine. This space needs support. Without proper support, slouching occurs and back pain occurs.
Typically, most people spend a significant portion of the day sitting at their office desks in an uncomfortable chair. Another significant portion of the day is spent driving in traffic or traveling on public transportation. After a long day at work and commuting back and forth, they come home with back pain. All of this time spent during the week sitting without proper posture can cause damage to the lumbar area. Thus, many invest in lumbar pillows to help prevent the development of back problems. By practicing proper posture, another benefit is that the abdominal muscles are receiving a workout.
The office chair is the first place most will add lumbar support to if they are experiencing back pain often or if they are trying to prevent minor and/or major back problems. Sitting without proper back support adds three times more strain on the lower back compared to standing. Joints and surrounding tissues may also be affected in addition to the lower back. When a chair is uncomfortable, most people will move around in the chair often to adjust. Shifting can cause additional pain and can lead to sciatica. The lumbar support should be set at just the right place where the back rests on the chair. The support needs to be adjusted depending on the person’s height and body type or else it won’t fit correctly.
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