3 Professions That Are Hard on Your Back

Back pain is something that can creep its way into your daily life regardless of your profession. However, there are some professions that are known for flaring up back issues more than others. This is because they involve specific movements or postures that can be especially hard on your back. Here are some of the professions that are known for causing back pain and often result in having to turn to a specialist to seek relief.

Construction

Construction workers are known for having to carry out extremely strenuous activities.  From the heavy lifting to carrying all of their materials, construction is known to be incredibly physically demanding. 

For this reason, many construction workers experience chronic back pain for years to come. If you work in construction, you must ensure that you use the proper lifting techniques and wear the right supportive gear. Things like back braces and mechanical aids like forklifts will significantly help reduce your risk of straining your back.

Nurses

Healthcare workers, particularly nurses, often suffer from extreme back pain due to their long hours and lifting and physically transferring patients. Not to mention they also work on their feet for the majority of their shift. It's important that nurses find a balance in their lifestyle, by prioritizing an equal amount of rest as work. Since they're extremely long shifts can lead to extreme fatigue, it's important that they take the time to rest on their days off instead of overstraining themselves. The simple act of resting up after a long shift can make a world of difference in how susceptible you are to back issues.

Sedentary Jobs

Even though you may suspect that the jobs that are hardest on your back are the ones that involve a lot of movement, the truth is that the hardest jobs on your back can often be the ones that are the most sedentary. 

Sitting for long periods of time will weaken your muscles and ultimately put stress on your lower back. You put yourself even more at risk if you sit in a non-ergonomic chair that exacerbates your pain even more. 

If you work a sedentary job, it's important that you balance this lack of movement with exercise and walking around when you're not working. Perhaps most important is getting up and taking breaks during your work shifts. 

Standing up at least once an hour will make a world of difference in back pain, and also burn more calories. Burning calories is important since sitting in the same position for long periods of time can often lead to obesity, and ultimately extreme back pain due to so much weight strain on the lower back.