Frequent Triggers for Back Pain in Santa Monica, CA

Back pain can range from mild muscle soreness that goes away with a little rest to near-debilitating pain that requires some type of treatment. Everyone experiences back pain differently. Yet there are common back pain triggers that tend to increase your odds of feeling aches and pains in the lower or mid-back areas. According to spine surgeons in Beverly Hills, understanding these pain triggers can help reduce your risk of experiencing any lingering or serious back discomfort.

Sporadic Bouts of Activity

If you’re a weekend warrior, you’re no stranger to occasional backyard football games or just some horsing around with the kids at the playground. However, sporadic bouts of activity often include little or no emphasis on proper form and training. Counteract this particular back pain trigger by:

• Getting regular exercise during the week
• Doing something to warm-up like going for a walk/run or doing some stretches before proceeding with your weekend activities
• Applying heat or cold to your back to relieve muscle strain after you’re done

Improper Lifting

Bending down to pick something up may seem easy, but it could be triggering your back spasms. Instead, bend at the knees when picking something up to minimize back strain.

Emotional Stress

Not all back pain is physically triggered. A sudden spike in home or work-related stress can also cause tension in muscles supporting your back. It’s believed that stress or emotional trauma stimulates certain molecules in the nervous system, making you more susceptible to feeling stress-related muscle tension as pain.

Poor Sleep Habits

Poor sleep habits, or a lack of sufficient recuperative sleep in general, can impact all aspects of your health. As for your back, a lack of sufficient rest doesn’t give muscles enough time to recuperate. Awkward sleep positions can also result in back or neck stiffness that’s sometimes felt when first waking up.

Dietary Deficiencies

A diet lacking in certain vitamins and minerals can contribute to the inflammation that sometimes aggravates back pain by placing added pressure on joints and nerves. A recent study suggests that a diet lacking in magnesium may make the central nervous system hyper-sensitive to pain that would otherwise be minimal.

If chronic back pain is making everyday responsibilities more challenging, it may be time to see a board-certified spine surgeon. At The Spine Institute Center for Spinal Restoration, our experienced diagnostic team and qualified surgeons can discover the source of your pain and identify the best treatment options for your lifestyle. To learn more, please give us a call at (310) 828-7757 and schedule an in-person consultation.