Does Sitting All Day Cause Lower Back Pain?
Most people visit chiropractors for chronic back pain. Chiropractors offer all-natural, drug-free relief from back pain caused by posture, weight, lifestyle, and work duties. At TLC Chiropractic, our team of chiropractors focus on finding the underlying cause of our patients’ back pain and designing a personalized treatment plan that offers lasting relief. Most patients who visit us for back pain treatment in Tallahassee, FL, have pain caused by poor posture, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. Here is a quick look at how sitting all day can cause chronic or acute lower back pain.
Increased Pressure on the Spine
One of the most common causes of lower back pain in adults is increased pressure on the spine. The spine and its vertebrae and discs provide structure and support that aid movement and mobility. When you’re seated, your lumbar spine takes on the added weight of your body, and the longer you stay seated the more that weight causes wear and tear on your spine. Eventually, your risk of nerve compression, herniated or slipped disc, and back pain increases.
Wear and Tear on Muscles and Ligaments
A sedentary lifestyle also increases the wear and tear on your muscles and ligaments. Sitting can strain and weaken muscles over time, which means that your spine isn’t getting the support it needs. Poor posture while sitting can also overstretch the spinal ligaments, causing tension, inflammation, and pain.
Nerve Compression and Sciatica
If you sit all day for work, you are at a higher risk of nerve compression and sciatica symptoms. Your vertebrae and discs can experience added wear and tear that weaken them and increase the risk of a herniated or slipped disc. Disc damage can cause nerve compression, sciatica symptoms, and lower back pain.
Uneven Distribution of Weight
The human body is designed to stand upright, and prolonged periods of sitting causes uneven distribution of body weight. When you’re seated, you’re actually pushing your body out of alignment, and putting added stress and strain on your soft tissues and spine. If you are obese or overweight, that pressure increases. Over time, you will experience muscle aches and pains, back pain, shoulder and neck pain, stiffness and inflammation, and difficulty standing upright without hunching.
Find Relief From Back Pain and Sciatica in Tallahassee, FL
At TLC Chiropractic, our team of experienced chiropractors can help you find lasting relief from back pain and sciatica. We will determine the underlying cause of your back pain and sciatica symptoms and design a treatment plan that alleviates pain and inflammation, restores range of motion and mobility, and reduces your risk of future back pain. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Posted In:
Chiropractic
Back Pain Treatment
Sciatica
Posture