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Each month Mayo Clinic brings you helpful tips to improve your health.
| Health tips: back and neck pain | | | Dear Reader,
Back and neck problems are common. Most people deal with at least one episode of back or neck pain at some point in their lives. It helps to know the factors that put you at increased risk of back and neck problems. The good news is that you have some control over all the factors that put you at increased risk, with one exception – age.
What puts you at risk?
Age — With age, the bones, joints, ligaments and discs of your back and neck naturally begin to show wear and tear. Ligaments stiffen and become less flexible.
Inactivity —Back pain is more common among people who aren't physically fit. If you don't exercise regularly and maintain some level of fitness, your risk of neck and back problems increases.
Overweight —Carrying around additional weight places increased stress on your spine, straining joints and ligaments in the process.
Occupation — Any job, such as a construction worker or freight handler, that requires repetitive bending, lifting, pushing or pulling — particularly when it involves twisting or vibrating the spine — increases the risk of back and neck injury.
Poor posture — Sitting or maintaining one position for too long isn't good for your back or your neck, especially if your posture is poor.
Stress and anxiety — When you're stressed, you may inadvertently tense up and strain the muscles in your neck and back. This can cause stiffness, soreness and pain. The more stressed you feel, the tighter your muscles become.
Smoking — Smoking reduces blood flow to your lower spine, which can keep your body from delivering enough nutrients to the disks in your lower back. With inadequate nutrients, disks begin to dry out more quickly.
Osteoporosis — Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle — so brittle that a fall or even mild stresses such as bending over or coughing can fracture a bone in your back or neck.
Diabetes — Studies suggest diabetes can increase your risk of back and neck pain. Exactly how the two are interconnected is unknown at this point. It's possible diabetes may compromise blood vessels that supply the spine, resulting in reduced blood flow and increased spinal degeneration.
Yours in good health,
Dan Harke Mayo Clinic Press |
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