Top 10 Worst Jobs for Back Pain
The average American works about 44 hours a week. If a person has worked for 40 years, that’s over 90,000 hours of work. Whether you’re trying to improve the status of your business or just doing your best to pay the bills, the nature of your job and the amount of time you need will directly affect your health.
When it comes to spinal health, every job affects it in its way. Some jobs are definitely “back-breaking” while other jobs are lenient for muscles, bones, and joints. Thus, what’s the worst job for you? Here are 10 jobs where you may want to consider Chiropractic Care to stay healthy and some tips and techniques for reducing pain.
Top 10 Worst Jobs for Back Pain
10. Parenting
If you’ve been holding a baby for a while during the day or if you have to carry them for long periods daily, then it will put extra pressure on your back. Surely, there is no need to point out all the items (car seats, toys, baby carriage, etc.) that a parent has for a baby. Even pulling out a big diaper bag might hurt your back.
Pain Prevention Tips:
- Reconsider how you carry things. Try using a backpack style bag instead of a shoulder bag.
- Buy a wearable baby carrier to ease the burden.
9. Factory Work
Most factories and production orders require repetitive body movements for a long time. This can lead to muscle fatigue and weakness that can further cause complications resulting from repeated actions.
Pain Prevention Tips:
- Take some breaks regularly and keep your posture in check. Make sure your shoulders are relaxed and your spine is straight.
- You can also prevent muscle weakness and injury by changing your duties, whenever possible.
8. Auto Mechanic
Squatting working on a car for a day can cause pain and even injury. All of the bending, arching, and twisting movements necessary to repair and maintain vehicle problems can put a lot of exertion on your back.
Pain Prevention Tips:
- To avoid injuries from excessive back stretching, please try to stand very close to the car or vehicle you are repairing.
7. Warehouse & Delivery Work
Individuals who work in a distribution center or a warehouse are more likely to have tough physical tasks. These duties include pushing, lifting, and pulling heavy objects or merchandise. The workers spend most of the time of the day in doing these heavy tasks. These activities leave warehouse employees vulnerable to spinal injury.
Pain Prevention Tips:
- Before lifting an object, test its weight. If it is too heavy to lift, follow the subsequent tip.
- Ask for help to lift objects heavier than 50 pounds.
- Use a forklift
- Use shopping cart
- Wear gloves to increase your grip on the object.
- Wear a supportive pair of shoes.
- Ask your doctor if he allows you to wear a back brace.
6. Dentist and Dental hygiene
A dentist’s job can also be detrimental to their spine. It happens because dentists spend a lot of time of their day treating their patients while bending over them to perform their long-term activities. To access dental tools, they have to bend and twist their neck and the upper part of their back. Dental practitioners may also experience shoulder and neck discomfort along with back pain.
Pain Prevention Tips:
- When treating patients, always use magnification and good lighting to clearly and closely view the procedure. This will help to keep the spine and neck in a neutral posture.
- Try to stretch your spine during breaks.
- If possible, use the arm of the chair to provide support during the dental procedure.
5. Manual Labor
Unsurprisingly, manual work usually involves a lot of twisting and bending, lifting heavy objects, and performing repetitive activities. This tiresome job may result in a multitude of severe spinal complications, such as B. herniated disc that may need back surgery.
Pain Prevention Tips:
- Ask for team help to lift objects heavier than 50 pounds.
- Always wear a pair of supportive shoes.
- Wear gloves to increase your grip on the object.
- Use a back brace to protect your spine from injuries and excessive weight lifting.
4. Office Work
An office job is not a physical job. And that’s why office job is amongst the top appealing professions but it is inconvenient for your back. Sitting in the same position relentlessly can be tedious and numbing for you. It may inflict harm on your spine and it is as bad as work that involves lifting weights. Using a computer all day while sitting in the same position can lead to poor posture, which in the long term hurts your spine health.
Pain Prevention Tips:
- Take some breaks during your work.
- Ensure that your shoulders are relaxed and your back is straight.
- Leave your seat at least once an hour to stretch and walk around the office.
- If possible, arrange walking meetings.
- Work at a standing desk as this can relieve pressure on your back.
3. Nursing & Health Care Provision
Working in a hospital, one has to stand for a long time or bend over to assist with procedures. One may also need to move medical equipment and transfer patients. All of these postures and work can cause back pain or injury.
Pain Prevention Tips:
- Take a break after an hour or two.
- Stretch your spine at rest.
- Bend your neck
- Roll your shoulders
- Stretch your hamstrings
- Consider wearing supportive shoes.
- Breathe quietly or do yoga or meditation if you find some time. It will help to relieve your work pressure.
2. Construction Work
Like manual work, construction work puts you under a lot of pressure because this type of work also requires much time doing heavy labor. This involves hours of twisting, bending, and heavy weight lifting.
Pain Prevention Tips:
- Before lifting an object, test its weight. If it is too heavy to lift, follow the subsequent tip.
- Ask for help to lift objects heavier than 50 pounds.
- Use a forklift
- Use shopping cart
- Wear gloves to increase your grip on the object.
- Wear a supportive pair of shoes.
- Take a break to stretch and relax your back.
- Ask your doctor if he allows you to wear a back brace.
1. Driving
It is perhaps surprising that driving is what doctors consider to be most damaging to the neck and back. We’re not just talking about truck drivers. Taxi drivers, tourist drivers, and anyone traveling long distances can suffer from neck or back problems.
Pain Prevention Tips:
- Adjust your driving seat to set your posture.
- Set the seat angle to 100 degrees to avoid hunching.
- Move the seat near the steering wheel.
- Do not sit on your wallet and try using rolled towels or pillows on your lower back to increase lumbar support.
The Takeaway
Are you in one of the above-mentioned professions? If yes, you need to work on your workstation design and work postures to save your spine. Although many back conditions can be treated with non-surgical treatments, some injuries may need to be evaluated by a Chiropractor. Do not wait for treatment, contact a trusted Chiropractic clinic like SHIN Wellness today for a consultation.
If you are interested in learning more about health and wellness, I encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of our trusted practitioners at SHIN Wellness. We offer many holistic treatments such as Decompression Therapy, Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Neurofeedback, Psychology, Reiki, Nutrition, Corrective Exercises, and Massage. If you need some help figuring out what service is right for you, try our personalized consultation. Our Wellness Center and Chiropractor office in Miami Florida specializes in restoring your health!
