Today many of us lead a sedentary lifestyle. We commute to work, we sit up to eight to nine hours of the day in front of a computer, and then commute back home again. And for many, will sit in front of the television for several hours once at home!
The stabilising muscles of the spine work hard to make sure that our spines remain upright. However, with prolonged postures such as sitting, these muscles will begin to fatigue. Once this fatigue sets in, proprioception – which is the body’s awareness of movement and position, begins to decrease.
Although I am primarily focusing on the musculature of the spine here, other stabilising muscles are also affected. Prolonged sitting causes the hip flexor muscles to become shortened and tight, and will also cause the large gluteal muscles and hamstrings to weaken. I will focus more on the effect that weak gluteal muscles play in association with low back pain in an upcoming post, but this cumulative affect of muscular imbalances inevitably leads to low back pain.
Sedentary lifestyles pose an even greater risk to health including a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, and also increases the risk of other diseases such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, depression and anxiety.
The World Health Organisation suggests that 60 – 85% of the World’s population now lead a sedentary lifestyle, and that nearly two-thirds of children are insufficiently active. To improve overall health, and decrease the impacts that a sedentary lifestyle has on low back pain, it is recommended at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day in conjunction with healthy eating.
For exercise ideas to help ease your low back pain, head to our facebook page for tips and instructional videos or book a Telehealth appointment to help eliminate your pain.
Back To Life Myotherapy