Did you know that lower back pain affects more than 80% of the population, especially men? Consider how much of our daily activities—standing or sitting—involve the back. Humans frequently sit, twist, reach, and lift objects. There is no explanation for why so many people experience lower back discomfort. Yes, severe traumas can result in lower back discomfort; however, they frequently stem from a muscle imbalance in another body part. Here are several specific imbalances that may be causing your pain.
Pulled Muscles
A hurting back can be caused by lifting boxes or other large objects, working out, or even sleeping incorrectly. This frequently indicates that one of the several muscles and tendons in your back may have been strained or sprained. A torn muscle or ligament in the back can occasionally produce discomfort and spasms.
Sleeping in a Bad Position
A third of a person’s life is spent sleeping. So, if sitting for eight hours a day causes back pain, why wouldn’t sleeping in a poor position be any different? This is exacerbated by poor mattress conditions, pillow positions, sleeping positions, and many more.
So, the next time you wake up with a kink in your back, try and see what might be causing it. It’s difficult to fix your position when you’re passed out, so it’s best to make your sleeping environment as comfortable as you can be while you’re awake. That means looking for a supportive yet soft mattress, using the right pillows, and perhaps even changing the size of your bed so you don’t move around as much.
Sciatica and Piriformis Syndrome
You may have had a sciatica episode if you’ve had back pain and numbness in one of your legs. Although both are caused by muscles pinching the SI joint, piriformis syndrome and that condition are handled very differently. Using a foam roller or various stretches can help reduce the symptoms brought on by either illness. In some cases, the discomfort even goes away by itself. To ensure you don’t have a herniated disk, you should consult a doctor immediately if the numbness lasts more than a few days.
Stress
Stress is not an imbalance; it is one of those problems that doesn’t seem to be a huge matter until it practically breaks people. Because men have been found to react to stress mentally and physically shutting down, stress and thus back pain can sometimes be even worse for them. They isolate themselves socially, which might result in undesirable routines, including irregular sleeping, a poor diet, and less exercise.
All these can aggravate low back pain because your body needs a healthy diet to operate at its best. Stress makes your muscles stiff, which can strain your lower back unnecessarily.
Tight Hips
Your hips may be tight if you have a desk job or haven’t stretched in generations. That’s because you spend at least eight hours every day sitting, which doesn’t even count the time you spend driving or unwinding on the couch! Your glutes can’t contract in this position because it causes a pelvic tilt and an anterior strain on the pelvis. Frequently, a pelvic tilt puts pressure on your back, creating pain.
The good news is that this tightness can typically be relieved by rolling out tight areas with a foam roller or performing a “couch stretch.” Men, try this out if you’re having trouble with back pain!
