In many parts of the U.S., coronavirus lockdowns are in effect due to the dangerous rate at which the virus is spreading. Even if this isn’t the case in your area, restrictions and limitations related to COVID-19 have definitely had an impact on spine health. This was confirmed by a recent survey conducted in Great Britain. The results are discussed below.
Increased Back Pain during Lockdowns
The study mentioned above involved 2,000 adults. More than one out of every three people questioned reported having increased spine-related discomfort over the previous six months. Also, nearly 40 percent of the respondents said they had experienced an increase in pain during the time when virus-related restrictions were in effect.
Work Setup as a Factor
Many of the adults questioned for the survey believed changes in their routines or work setups contributed to their increased spine pain. In fact, one out of every four respondents who reported more instances of back pain directly linked their discomfort to home office setups that weren’t conducive to optimal spinal health.
Other Relevant Factors
The survey produced some other interesting findings about COVID adjustments and back pain. For instance, younger respondents (those between age 25 and the mid-40s) believed their spine issues were related to efforts to balance homeschooling with working at home. Half of those questioned cited stress as a contributing factor to their new or increased back pain. Plus, almost 40 percent of the adults questioned admitted being more sedentary during lockdown periods likely boosted their spine-related discomfort.
Additionally, 35 percent of those surveyed linked their back pain issues to changes in sleep habits or pattern
s related to the virus. However, the survey also found fewer individuals with back pain reported actually seeking input from their own doctors or specialists.
Counteracting the Effects of Coronavirus Lockdowns/Limitations
The results from the UK survey can be applied to what has been experienced in the United States, since the virus has been handled here in a similar way. There’s no way to know for sure what’s on the horizon with COVID-19. However, what you can do is make an effort to keep your spine as healthy as possible by:
• Working from home in a comfortable, supportive chair
• Making an effort to get up and move as much as possible
• Finding ways to exercise to keep your spine-supporting muscles strong
• Managing stress as much as possible, since added stress can amplify pain sensations
Regardless of what’s going on in your area regarding the coronavirus, what you don’t want to do is put off dealing with spine-related issues altogether. Start by contacting your doctor or a Los Angeles spine surgeon to find out if virtual or remote visits are offered. At the very least, this is a way to get some advice about things you can start doing now to ease your discomfort.
If you ave back or neck pain that’s getting progressively worse or doesn’t go away after a few weeks, reach out to the pioneering spinal specialists at The Spine Institute. We specialize in minimally invasive fusion and non-fusion procedures, including spinal fusion alternatives and Mobi-C disc replacement. Los Angeles patients should call one of our friendly representatives today at 310-828-7757 to schedule an appointment.