Table of Contents
Whether it’s just a gig to pay the bills or your dream career, work life, including taking care of family, can play a big role in your overall health. And, sometimes, not in a good way.
In summer 2016, the North American Spine Society (NASS) asked its members to rank the professions they consider most “back-breaking.†Click through to see what spine specialists say are the top-10 biggest offenders, and get tips for how you can keep working and save your spine.
Spine-saving tips: Rethink your diaper bag. Consider a backpack-style diaper bag as opposed to the more traditional over-the-shoulder version to better distribute weight. Also, investing in an ergonomic baby carrier will ease the load when carrying your child.
Spine-saving tips: Occasionally take a break to evaluate your posture. Straighten your spine and relax your shoulders. If you can vary your tasks, do so. It will allow you the ability to use different muscles instead of fatiguing the same ones over the course of a work day.
Spine-saving tip: Whether under the car’s hood or the car itself, get as close to the part or area you’re working on to prevent injuring your back muscles.
Spine-saving tips: Think before you act. Before lifting a load, test the weight by lifting one corner. If the object is too heavy, ask for a coworker’s help or use a cart or forklift. Also, wear gloves to improve your grip and protect your hands.
Spine-saving tips: Magnification and good lighting will bring your field of vision closer and allow your neck to rest in a natural position, as opposed to being held forward and flexed down. If chair arms are available at your office, use them to support your upper arm or forearm when doing precision procedures with your hands.
Spine-saving tips: Your job equipment goes beyond the heavy machinery you use at work. Wear a good pair of supportive shoes, and talk to your doctor about whether a back brace will help prevent potential back problems on the job.
Spine-saving tips: Get up out of your chair every hour to walk around and stretch. Or, perhaps invest in a sit-stand desk to encourage you to vary your posture and position throughout the day.
Spine-saving tips: During breaks, take a few minutes to do some gentle spine stretches like shoulder rolls, neck bends, and hamstring stretches. If your day is particularly hectic, even a few minutes of quiet meditation may help stave off the negative effects of stress.
Spine-saving tips: Asking for help could save your spine if you work in the construction field. If materials are heavier than 50 pounds, get help from another worker and/or use a cart. Also, use carrying tools with handles to secure a grip on odd-shaped loads.
“With the rise of ridehailing services like Uber and Lyft, tens of thousands of ‘amateur’ drivers each month are suddenly becoming professionals, sitting in their cars for extra hours, toting luggage, and feeling the pain,†said orthopaedic surgeon Chad Patton, MD, chair of the NASS Public Affairs Committee.
Spine-saving tips: Before you hit the gas, create a supportive driving environment. Adjust your seat to a 100-degree angle to prevent slouching, and sit close enough to the steering wheel so your elbows and knees are slightly bent. Add a pillow or rolled up towel at the small of your back for some added support.
Professional Scope of Practice *
The information herein on "10 Worst Jobs for Back Pain" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
Blog Information & Scope Discussions
Welcome to El Paso's Chiropractic Scientist wellness blog, where Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, FNP-C, a board-certified Family Practice Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C) and Chiropractor (DC), presents insights on how our team is dedicated to holistic healing and personalized care. Our practice aligns with evidence-based treatment protocols inspired by integrative medicine principles, similar to those found on dralexjimenez.com, focusing on restoring health naturally for patients of all ages.
Our areas of chiropractic practice include Wellness & Nutrition, Chronic Pain, Personal Injury, Auto Accident Care, Work Injuries, Back Injury, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Migraine Headaches, Sports Injuries, Severe Sciatica, Scoliosis, Complex Herniated Discs, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Complex Injuries, Stress Management, Functional Medicine Treatments, and in-scope care protocols.
Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicine, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies that are available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.
We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how they may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to discuss the subject matter above further, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-C, or contact us at 915-850-0900.
We are here to help you and your family.
Blessings
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, APRN, FNP-C*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807
New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182
Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Texas & Multistate
Texas RN License # 1191402
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Graduate with Honors: ICHS: MSN-FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Degree Granted. Masters in Family Practice MSN Diploma (Cum Laude)
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-C, CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
My Digital Business Card
Should individuals experiencing nerve pain or various sensations get a nerve conduction velocity study to… Read More
What is a bone density test, how is it performed, and what do the results… Read More
Can adding fartlek training improve speed and endurance for runners and running enthusiasts? Running Fartlek… Read More
For individuals dealing with digestive issues and conditions, can incorporating Tai Chi help improve gut… Read More
Children walking with their toes pointed in may be pigeon-toed. What are the causes, conditions… Read More
Start your calisthenics journey now. Improve your fitness with techniques that require no equipment and… Read More