Few things are worse than waking up with a sore back, going about your day, and falling asleep to severe lower back pain. Unfortunately, this is a reality for thousands of working people every day. If you’re one of them, you know that getting out of pain is a major priority. Before you can start looking for the solution to that pain in your lower back, you need to understand the most common causes of your chronic pain. These are a few of the issues your Wyoming physical therapy team sees most.

Poor Posture
Believe it or not, the most common cause of chronic low back pain is due to the way you carry yourself when you walk, sit, bend, and move. Your posture matters more than you might think. If you slouch or don’t take care to maintain good posture throughout the day, you put strain on your spine. The longer you do this, the more likely you are to develop back pain. The best thing you can do is start paying attention to your posture throughout the day. If you notice that your shoulders are rounded, straighten them. You can also schedule an appointment with your physical therapy team to help you identify exercises to help you maintain that good posture in the future. 

Improper Shoes
If you spend any significant amount of time on your feet, your shoes are one of the most important accessories you have access to. The right shoe can help reduce or eliminate your low back pain while the wrong shoe can aggravate even minor aches and pains. Look at the shoes you wear each day. If they provide support for your arch and cushion your foot against the hard ground, you’re doing everything you can to keep your body happy and healthy. However, if they have virtually no support or put your foot in a position that alters the natural alignment of your bone structure (high heels wearers, pay attention), it can hurt your posture and cause severe chronic pain. Switching to the right pair of shoes can make all the difference.

Sleeping on a Bad Mattress
Your posture doesn’t just matter during the day. It also plays a role in your health and wellbeing at night and the right mattress can make or break your chronic pain issues. Take a look at your bed and think about how you feel when you wake up. If you’re tossing and turning all night long or wake up with intense pain in your low back every day, it’s time to switch to a better bed. Keep in mind that you’ll want to invest in a bed that’s firm and supportive. Overly soft mattresses make it hard to maintain a good posture during the night and increase the risk of severe and chronic pain.

Don’t Ignore Your Pain
The key to taking care of chronic pain lies in being proactive. Look at your habits and make the necessary changes to help you improve your health. If you feel stuck, contact our team to schedule a consultation.