Do you spend your days in pain? You may be doing many everyday activities the wrong way that’s contributing to that everyday pain.
More people than ever before are spending their days in pain and are seeking out ways to manage that pain through opioids. Back pain is one of the leading problems that people seek help and pain medication to treat. Shoulder pain, knee pain, and hip pain are also plaguing many Americans every day. However, there are ways to manage pain and even become pain-free without the use of prescription medication. From exercise and physical therapy to chiropractic care and homeopathic remedies, many people are searching for alternative ways to become pain-free. Even with great alternatives, searching for the source of your everyday pain is essential for not only becoming pain-free, but staying pain-free as well. It turns out, the source of many people’s pain is actually doing everyday activities wrong.
1. Carrying Your Bag
Most people don’t even think about how their bags could be affecting their health. However, particularly with purses, carrying it wrong could be contributing to your back pain. Your purse or other bags shouldn’t be too heavy – no more than six pounds. So if you tend to overstuff your bag, it’s time to invest in a second one or downsize. If you have a one-shoulder bag, make sure to alternate which shoulder you carry it one to avoid straining one side, which can lead to misalignment. You should also consider a backpack, which displaces weight across the back and shoulders instead of on one side.
2. Vacuuming And Cleaning
When it comes to cleaning, most of us are focused on getting the task complete over correct posture. However, cleaning with improper posture can not only lead to chronic pain, but it can also lead to an injury. From vacuuming incorrectly to scrubbing, cleaning tasks put a lot of strain on the back. It’s important, therefore, to correct your form and posture when doing these tasks to prevent back pain. Handles to mops and vacuums should always be at shoulder height to avoid extra strain on the shoulders and back. You should also avoid twisting while doing these chores, vacuuming and mopping straight in front of you instead of twisting your body like most people do.
3. Sleeping
Believe it or not but many people are sleeping wrong. Yes, regardless of how comfortable your sleeping position is, it could be contributing to your everyday pain. It can lead to back and neck pain, as well as fatigue, muscle cramping, and headaches. You should never sleep on the stomach, as this puts a strain on the lower back as well as the neck. The best position is on the back or on the side. However, if you sleep on your side, you should make sure that your shoulders are in line, stacked straight one above the other. If you sleep on your side out of alignment, you’ll be twisting your back, neck, and shoulders, leading to pain.
4. Picking Things Up
Lifting improperly is another source of thrown-out backs and even knee pain. Many people strain their lower back by not using the strongest muscles in the body – the legs. Don’t bend at the waist to pick things up. Instead, squat down with your feet shoulder-width apart for a wide base of support. Bend at the knees and hips only to avoid straining the lower back and keep this posture as you lift up the object.
5. Sitting Too Much Is Leading To Everyday Pain
We’re all aware that sitting too much can lead to poor health and pain. However, if you have to sit due to your job, it’s important to sit right. Slouching while sitting is not only bad for your back, but it can lead to digestive issues as well as neck pain. Furthermore, if you sit with your legs crossed, you’re most likely twisting your hips and pelvis out of alignment, which can lead to back and hip pain. You should be sitting straight up and down with both of your feet firmly planted on the ground in front of you. You should also be looking straight ahead at your screen, not down, up, or to the side as this leads to neck pain and headaches.
Body alignment even in everyday mundane tasks is important for not only becoming pain-free, but staying pain-free. Habits are difficult to break, but keeping proper posture in mind and slowing down your activities to help you live a life free from your everyday pain.
