When you are standing, your low back can hurt for a variety of reasons. Most of them are related to your occupation and stem from remaining in one place for a long period. Here are six common reasons for low back pain while standing
- Posture. Maybe you were told as a kid not to slouch, maybe you have a tendancy to lean over. When you are not standing, or sitting upright, you are allowing your muscles to tigheten and weaken. This is going to leave these muscles pulling against you when you do stand up straight.
- Weak Abdonimal Muscles. Related to your posture is weak abdonimal muscles. If your core muscles lack strength and flexibility that is going to force your back to do more work and increase the strain, which may cause you pain. Other tight muscles like those in your neck or legs may be too short and too tight pulling on your back muscles and sending warning signals to the brain.
- Pinched Nerve in Your Back. Pinched nerves are often impacted with movement or certain positions. If you are suffering from a pinched neve while standing, this can make things excrutiatingly difficult. A pinched nerve can send pain down your legs, or radiating into other areas of your body. You will need to adapt your posture to find a position that leaves you without constant pain, while you also strengthen your core and low back muscles so that they're not being strained.
- Concrete Floors or Hard Floors. Concrete floors are man-made, rigid, and inflexible. Your body was not developed to spend a prolonged time on stiff, hard floors. If you are standing in one main area, you may need to consider some sort of mat or rug to reduce the impact on your joints and muscles. You should also consider #5 and #6 below.
- Standing Still or Lack of Movement. Generally, happy, healthy muscles prefer movement to prolonged periods at rest. They can become tightened, shortened, or even inflammed. When any of these happen you are going to have a harder time returning to movement when you are ready. As the saying goes, "A Body in Motion Stays in Motion," consider moving periodically throughout the day to reduce the fatigue on your muscles and joints.
- Poor Footwear. Poor footwear can lead to its own problems, but it is more likely that it will exacerbate one of the other 5 problems. Cute, fashionable shoes rarely provide the support or stability you need. Instead consider a sturdy shoe with a grippy rubber sole to minimize the likelihood of back pain. You may also want to consider a custom orthotic to help with any anatomical dysfunction you may be suffering from.
If you have back pain, especially if you have back pain at work, you need to talk with someone. Physical therapists are experts in movement and ergonomics, and a physical therapist may be able to help you Love Your Life and your job!
-Dr. Lauren Collier Peterson, PT, DPT
FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers of Oklahoma City provides pelvic floor physical therapy in Lakeside, The Village, Nichols Hills and surrounding NW Oklahoma City. Our physical therapists are specially trained to treat all types of pain, movement disorders, and musculoskeletal dysfunction including Back Pain. Our practitioners take a patient-centered individualized approach that focuses on your Neck Pain Relief. If you are unsure about your pelvic health, or you want to see the FYZICAL Difference for yourself, schedule a free consultation today.