Back pain can make life hell.
But what are the causes?
An expert will explain - and give tips on how to combat the pain.
Almost every German has or has had
to struggle
with
back pain
.
The corona crisis and the increasing number of home offices that it entails intensify the problem.
A
health expert
explains the
causes
- and gives tips against back pain.
Cologne - Those who have them are often limited in life:
back pain
.
Probably every German has had back pain at some point.
In times of the Corona * crisis and the associated home office, the problem has worsened.
The reason:
long periods of sitting are not
good for the back, the muscles are weakened.
But how can those affected tackle back pain?
An
expert
reveals what to do.
Expert explains: These are the causes of back pain
Sitting for long periods and too little exercise are not the only
causes of back pain
.
As Dr.
Wolfgang Reuter,
health expert
at DKV (German health insurance) explains, the reasons are varied.
This can cause back pain
Too little movement
a disease
incorrect posture
Signs of wear
stress
a mattress that is too soft or too hard
According to Reuter, medical professionals differentiate between
non-specific and specific back pain
.
According to this, "a non-specific low back pain has no clear
cause
that can be seen, for example, in an X-ray or an MRI," explains the DKV expert.
Then, for example,
muscle tension
could also be
the
trigger
for the back pain.
Specific back pain, on the other hand, has a clear cause.
These include
diseases
or a
deformation of the spine
.
What to do if you have back pain
But what to do if you get
back pain
and it persists?
When is it necessary to go to the doctor?
“In the event of severe pain, a previous accident or fall, numbness in the legs, but also fever and bladder weakness, a visit to the doctor is urgently recommended,” says Reuter.
First measures
against the pain can also be:
warmth
Back exercises
If these measures do not bring any improvement, the expert also advises a
doctor to visit
.
There, with the help of patient discussions, tests, x-rays or an MRI, the reason can be searched for and treatment can be prepared.
+
Back pain can be a nuisance.
But what can you do about it?
(Symbol image)
© Inga Kjer / dpa
Sport and exercise as a remedy for back pain
But what is the best thing to do against back pain?
Unsurprisingly, the DKV recommends
regular exercise
here
, provided that there is no illness to prevent it.
It doesn't necessarily have to be a sport like a ten-kilometer run or a two-hour fitness session.
Because: "It is already helping to change a few things in everyday life," says Reuter and explains: "For example,
in the morning five minutes gymnastics
instead of making the news on the phone checking,
stairs run instead of the elevator
ride
, or in the evening after a long day at
Turn
your desk
around the block
instead of just sitting on the sofa. "
In particular, due to corona rules such as curfews *, daily exercise is poor in some places these days and weeks.
In addition, many people simply do not have the time.
Here too,
DKV has
a solution.
Some sports clubs offer
live virtual courses
.
You can also find a lot of
workout videos
online
- also for back pain and strengthening the back muscles.
Back pain: how much more exercise is healthy?
To find out how much more
movement
is needed against the
back pain
to fight, it is advisable to
count the daily steps
.
“It can be a good motivation to set a daily goal with the help of a step counter, such as an app on the smartphone or a fitness tracker,” advises Reuter.
Experts recommend around
10,000 steps a day
.
But even here the number is not set in stone - on the contrary.
4,000 steps a day is a good start.
For orientation: 1,000 steps are approx. 700 to 900 meters.
So if you do one or two laps around the block in the evening - in addition to daily exercise - you will relatively quickly get to 4,000 steps.
I love my back pain 🙃 pic.twitter.com/zqd1Qiq8Dv
- Anakin Skytalker (@AnakinBanakin) December 2, 2020
In addition to movement: a back-friendly environment prevents back pain
In addition to exercise, a
back-friendly environment
at home and at work is also extremely important.
DKV expert Reuter has a clear recommendation for working at home:
"Do not permanently use the kitchen chair as a workplace"
"Do not permanently use the coffee table as a workplace"
Rather, you need an
ergonomic office chair and a suitable desk
in your own home
to prevent
back pain
.
It is also important to adjust the desk and office chair height so that the top area of the monitor is at eye level.
It is also advisable to use a mattress that is kind to the back.
Your back will thank you.
(By Nico Scheck) * fnp.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editorial network
List of rubric lists: © Inga Kjer / dpa