Nearly nine out of 10 of us will suffer back pain at least once in our lives, so the odds are pretty good that your number will come up at some point.
Chronic back pain is one of the most common types of pain and one of the top 10 reasons people consult a doctor.
And it accounts for as many as one out of four Workers' compensation claims!
Here are five surprising causes of back pain that you might not be aware of, as well as several ways you can get relief fast:
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Poor posture
Incorrect posture is a very common cause of back pain, especially in people whose jobs involve lots of sitting (like truck drivers and desk workers).
Good posture is when your shoulders are back, your head is up straight and the lower part of your spine curves out ever so slightly to form a J-shape.
It’s not hard to improve your posture—you just need to be aware of it and correct yourself when you feel your shoulders rolling in or bending forward at your mid back.
If your job requires you to sit for long periods of time, it’s also helpful to get up and move around as much as you can (once an hour is ideal).
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Dehydration
Dehydration doesn’t just cause thirst, dark urine or fatigue during workouts—it can also cause muscle weakness, and when the muscles surrounding your back are involved, you can get back pain.
Be honest here--if Jimmy Carter was president last time you drank anything but coffee, soda or alcohol, chances are excellent you’re dehydrated.
Aim to drink at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water (not juice, sports drinks or other beverages—just plain WATER) a day.
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Chronic inflammation
This is far and away the most common culprit behind pain of ALL kinds, and that includes back pain.
Ours is a society that is rampant with chronic inflammation, which is mainly the result of our food supply lacking Omega-3 essential fatty acids.
We used to get plenty of these natural anti-inflammatories from the meat, milk, and eggs from grass-fed animals, but most of our animals are grain-fed now, which instead provides inflammation-stirring Omega-6 fatty acids.
And we’re paying the price with our health!
Plus our heavy reliance on processed foods doesn’t help, as they create inflammation too.
So to end chronic inflammation at its very root causes, it’s essential to get the Omega-3 fatty acids your body needs! In addition to eating natural sources of Omega-3s like fatty fish, a top-quality fish oil supplement like VitalMega-3 can be a big help.
In addition, the spice turmeric is also a natural anti-inflammatory. You can use it in cooking or get it in supplement form at most health food stores.
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Vitamin B12 deficiency
Vitamin B12 is crucial in supporting your nervous system, and it helps to maintain the myelin sheath which surrounds and protects your nerve cells.
Since back pain is frequently the result of spinal nerve inflammation (especially sciatica), B12 with its "nerve-soothing" properties can actually help reduce pain.
If you've got chronic back pain it may behoove you to see if vitamin B12 deficiency may be a factor! And if you’re looking for supplementation with a quality product, Hydroxaden 2.5 B12 oral spray is your ticket.
A B12 spray like Hydroxaden 2.5 can be more efficient than oral supplements (which can have varying absorbency rates depending on your level of stomach acid) and is a lot less costly and more convenient than B12 shots.
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Lacking sleep
According to recent research from Great Britain, poor or insufficient sleep was a very strong predictor for back pain in adults over 50.
Most people need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night. So if you’re getting fewer than that, it’s time to start hitting the hay earlier.
Other ways to get back pain relief
Here are some other back pain remedies that have been shown to be very effective:
- - Chiropractic adjustments
- - Yoga
- - Massage
- - Acupuncture
- - Hot and cold packs
Now you know several ways to get back pain relief without dangerous drug side effects—so get going and get relief now!
@Barbara – Definitely physical therapy is very helpful! This is obviously not a complete list, but just a general overview of some remedies one may not necessarily think of right off the bat.
I surprised that you didn’t list physical therapy as an “other” back pain remedy. It has been very helpful to me and to my friends who have used it.
Thank you for your words Barbara! We are so glad you enjoy!
@Kathleen – I looked up an explanation of OMM for you and here is the link: https://www.dmu.edu/dose/2009/06/what-is-omm/ Also in another comment on here @Susan says great things about her experience!
@Eileen Connor – It could definitely be tied into a back challenge – We would certainly recommend consulting with a chiropractor as they will be a efficient in finding the area affected and adjusting you accordingly. I hope this helps!