Sitting all day can cause back pain because the spine needs to remain pliable. And that is possible only with constant flexibility and movement.

Ever since the pandemic struck, sitting down for long periods of time is causing back pain in many people. This is often due to the intervertebral discs wearing out or moving out of place, due to lack of movement and poor posture.

Sitting Down and your Body

The human body is designed to stand upright and move. This helps to maintain strength, exercises the muscles, and allow smooth blood circulation.

Prolonged sitting disrupts this process, throwing the body out of alignment and causing pain.

Extra body weight can add more pressure on the vertebra and back muscles, causing severe, chronic back pain.

Poor posture

Prolonged sitting can cause you to slouch, putting your spine in an unnatural position. This causes stiffness or slightly burning sensation when you stand up.

Poor posture can lead to serious conditions, like kyphosis, joint issues, and improper circulation. Correct posture, exercise and physical therapy can help treat this problem.

Pinched nerves

Prolonged sitting can add too much pressure on the back, causing it to compress on itself. This can lead to pinched nerves, and causing neck and/or back pain and other symptoms.

Left untreated, pinched nerves can sustain permanent damage and a total loss of sensation in the limbs, general numbness, or weakness in the arms and legs.

Muscular degeneration

Lack of consistent exercise and movement can cause muscular atrophy.

Poor blood circulation can damage the muscles, causing acute and chronic back pain, if left untreated.

Weight gain

Sitting down all day may lead to increased weight gain, interfering with the functioning of many important organs.

To prevent back pain due to sitting for long hours –

1. Buy an ergonomic chair, preferably one with lumbar support
2. Make the necessary adjustments to fit your entire setup
3. Practice proper posture,while sitting down as well as standing up
4. Adjust your sleeping position by adding more pillows, changing your mattress, or getting a weighted blanket to relieve the back pain from sitting down all day
5. Take breaks and exercise
6. Consult a doctor. A pain doctor may also recommend exercise and physical therapy that you can follow at home after your sessions.

If you have developed back pain ever since you started emote work or telecommuting, talk to a back-pain management doctor right away. Left untreated, the pain may worsen, become chronic and/or lead to more serious health issues.

To know more about stem cell pain treatment for orthopedic care in Norcross, GA, call one of leading pain management clinics, Atlanta Innovative Medicine at 770-416-9995.