80 % of Americans will have some type of lower back pain sometime in their life in which they need to see someone for treatment. One of the reasons why this number is so high is that most people cause and contribute to their own pain and problem unknowingly through bad postural habits that they do daily. Two of the biggest causes is sitting, and lifting and bending. The lower back should have a curve that goes in slightly. This is called the lumbar lordosis. The lower back works most efficiently when the lumbar lordosis is there at all times. Most people sit very poorly sitting in chairs either slumped or half way back on the chair rather than sitting all the way back in the chair. The lower back curve should be supported when sitting back all the way with either some type of small pillow or support built into the chair. This is common now in some cars seats and some office chairs. This support keeps the back neutral where the weight bearing structures of the spine work most efficiently. Ideally a good chair should have support built into it. But you can use anything from a small pillow, folded towel to a sweatshirt or sweater placed behind the lower back to support the curve.
When it comes to lifting and bending, the back should again stay neutral with the lumbar curve going in slightly. Bending should always be with the legs to keep the back neutral. NEVER from the waist ! This causes the lower back to now become non-neutral putting excessive stress and strain on the muscles, discs, ligaments and joints. Poor lifting and bending can have a cumulative effect on the lower back over time. You can do it wrong 100 times and be fine. The 101st time you bend over to pick up a sock on the floor will now cause acute lower back pain. This is then when I see the patient in my office for care and treatment. I then have to teach the patient how to take care of their lower back by doing all of the right things for it and have them stop all of the bad habits that they have been most likely been doing their whole lives.
This article is for informational purpose only provided by Dr. Robert
