SGBP Final 4

Office chair sitting thus has major back pain related consequences:

 Tight hamstrings

 Iliopsoas strain

 Erector Spinae muscle fatigue

When we sit for a prolonged period, all these muscles are starved of blood supply and
oxygen because they are constantly in a state of contraction. When we finally get up, the
same muscles are unable to support our backs. Our entire body weight is now supported
by the spinal column alone. No wonder we, the so-called modern human race, suffer
from backache.

Other self-made mechanical causes of back pain

1. Standing badly with rounded shoulders and/ or the pelvis thrust out


2. Lifting heavy loads incorrectly


3. Sleeping on sagging mattresses


4. Being generally unfit and not bothered about regular exercise


5. Obesity: Obesity per se can cause back pain due to the weight being carried by the
   spine and lack of exercise. In addition, once an obese person develops back pain,
   he/ she is caught in a vicious cycle since he/ she finds it difficult to move and
   without movement, the ability to burn calories and reduce weight is severely
   restricted. Hence both weight and pain will increase with time.

Women and back pain

Lifestyle causes

Women have additional lifestyle demands that lead to back pain:

a) High heels to make the legs look longer and tilt the back

b) Tight clothes to emphasize slimness – this also restricts easy movement

c) Breast implants that increase breast size and strain the back