Returning To Work After Back Pain
Returning to work can be even scarier if your back pain is very severe. If your job is physically demanding, you may think that you won’t be able to do the same you did before. You may also believe that your work and stress will trigger back pain or that spending so much time standing or sitting will have consequences.
But you can also flip the coin and see everything with another set of eyes. It can also be exciting because work gives you a sense of normal and sometimes even gives you a purpose. Back pain symptoms are unpredictable, and you can’t always blame your work for what is happening back there.
The first thing you should do to prevent back pain at work is to identify risky occupations that may influence this condition. For instance:
- Jobs that require a considerable amount of physical work: If you constantly need to carry, lift, and pull heavy weights, a bad movement or a repetitive motion can trigger back pain. These patients often suffer from sciatica pain or lumbar disc disease. If that is the case, prevent back pain by keeping a good posture and maintaining your physical fitness. You may even want to buy a weightlifting belt or a similar device that supports your posture. Also, consider the possibility of getting help when carrying heavier weights.
- Jobs that expose your body to vibration: If your body is constantly exposed to vibration as a part of your job, it can affect your back in the long run. For example, if you work in motor vehicles or operate drills and similar devices. Low back pain due to disc herniation and sciatica are common in these cases. Seat cushions and back braces are beneficial in these cases. It is also essential to use all the implements you’re meant to use for security reasons.
- Drivers and long commute to work: What if you are a driver and part of your back pain is due to sitting for long periods? Or maybe you spend a very long time on your commute to work. If that sounds like you, keeping a good posture in the car is important. Position your seat so you can reach the pedals without stretching your legs and recline the backrest 1-15 degrees. You may also buy lumbar rolls and other implements to have back support. And don’t forget to do some stretches every hour to decompress your back.
- Office work: Believe it or not, many patients with chronic back pain work in an office. Despite not being physically challenging work, prolonged sitting time may also relieve back pain or worsen your symptoms. In such cases, it is essential to maintain a good posture and have a suitable desk and chair. Lift the computer screen to prevent keeping your head down and take short breaks to stand and stretch every hour. Even when your sitting, it is a good idea to reposition your body, and sometimes you can stretch, even while sitting.