5 Ways Your Back Can Impact Your Overall Health
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When you have back problems, they can impact your life in a variety of ways. The discomfort and lack of normal function can impact your performance at work. You may not be able to participate in recreational activities you enjoy. But a bad back can also impact your overall health. Here are five ways that poor function and back pain can have a negative impact on your health.
Back pain and lack of flexibility can also affect lung function. Trying to avoid discomfort causes many people to hunch over or sit for long periods. These habits can constrict the chest and prevent the full expansion of the lungs. You may be more susceptible to respiratory infections because of the poor posture caused by a bad back.
Individuals with a back problem will often favor certain positions in order to avoid discomfort. However, this can often lead to poor posture and resulting, neck pain, shoulder dysfunction, and even hip pain. In this way, the spinal problem begins to negatively affect the function of related areas of the body. Chiropractic equipment such as a back or abdominal support device can help to prevent these problems.
A disorder of the spinal column can have a rippling effect throughout the body, as the individual tries to compensate for the poor function in the back. This dysfunction in the fundamental body structure can lead to increased wear on the joints, pain, swelling of joints and stiffness.
Living with chronic pain from back problems can also lead to inactivity that contributes to weight problems. Obesity is linked to a wide range of medical conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, and cancer. Back pain can make getting exercise and effectively managing your weight more difficult, leading to a cascading variety of health issues.
Individuals who are dealing with pain on a long-term basis are also vulnerable to emotional issues that can negatively affect their health and well-being. Mental health is closely linked to physical health. The discomfort and lack of activity can contribute to depression and feelings of isolation from the mainstream of life. In turn, this can lead to cascading health problems and feelings of hopelessness.
Because a bad back can lead to other health issues, getting help for your discomfort can be important to avoid these problems. A number of treatments and therapies are available to help with back and spinal disorders.
