Having a back problem can be uncomfortable and limit a person’s activity level. It is estimate that 80% of North Americans will experience an episode of lower back pain in their lifetime. This can be a short term or long term problem. There are many reason why people have back pain. In some instances it is caused by a lack of exercise, being overweight or by what is known as postural faults.
Not exercising can cause lower back pain. The failure to perform exercise, particularly abdominal strengthening exercises, may lead to poor posture and increased low back pain. Being overweight, especially in the mid-section, shifts your center of gravity forward and puts additional stress on your back muscles (Shin 2016). Another and often overlooked cause of back pain is pain caused by postural faults. Some postural faults are difficult to correct, while others can be corrected more easily through strength training and flexibility exercises. Two common postural faults that can be corrected in many instances are lordosis and a flat back posture. Both can cause lower back pain.
Lordosis is defined as an excessive inward curve of the spine. You can notice an exaggerated curve in a person that has lordosis in their lower back, and they may have kyphosis in their upper back area. The causes of a lordotic posture are weak abdominal muscles, tight hip flexors and weak or stretched hamstrings. Individuals that have a flat back posture do not have a natural curve in their lower back. A flat back posture usually indicates that the person has tight abdominal muscles, weak hip flexors and tight hamstring muscles. It is the muscle imbalances and tightness in the muscles that causes both of these postural faults.
There are numerous reasons why a person may have back pain. Often, these problems can be resolved or decreased by being involved in a properly designed fitness program. Weight loss and correcting postural faults can reduce or stop back pain. It is important for people with back pain to speak with a Doctor before commencing with an exercise program.
Reference: 7 Bad Habit That Cause Back Pain, Stewart, K., Reviewed by Carson-Dewitt R, MD, Shin T.M MD, updated 2016.