If you work in landscaping, construction, cleaning, or any physical job, you’ve probably been wondering for days or weeks why your lower back hurts. It’s the most common complaint among Latino workers we serve in North Carolina. In this blog, we explain the causes, how to relieve it, and when to seek professional help.
Why does my lower back hurt?
Generally, low back pain in physically active workers almost never comes from a single cause. It is the accumulation of small injuries that eventually lead to a larger injury. According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), More than 12 percent of construction workers in the U.S. report lower back pain directly related to their work.
Why my lower back hurts: the 4 main causes
These are the most common causes:
1. Lifting weight with bad technique
Turning your back when carrying heavy things instead of bending your knees is the number one cause. That’s why each repetition accumulates damage to the lumbar discs until one day the pain appears and it doesn’t go away.
2. Prolonged forced postures
Lying down for hours, standing without rest or working bent over all day puts the lower back under constant strain. As a result, the muscles and vertebrae pay the price after months or years.
3. Leg distension
Many workers have one leg a little shorter than the other without realizing it. That difference, even if it is small, generates an asymmetrical strain that the lower back compensates for over the years.
4. Hernias or nerve compression
If the pain goes from the back to the leg or includes tingling, there is probably a pinched nerve. This is the most serious cause and requires professional evaluation.
What can you do to relieve lower back pain?
- Lift the weight by bending the knees, Not the back.
- Hydrate moreIntervertebral discs need water.
- Haz short breaks during work every 1-2 hours.
- Avoid self-medicating With Tylenol or Advil for more than 2 weeks without consulting a doctor.
- If the pain gets worse when you lie down, you can read. why does back pain occur when lying on the back? to understand what is happening.
When to go to a chiropractor?
If the pain lasts for more than 2 weeks, wakes you up at night, or worsens in your leg, it is time to seek professional help. A chiropractor can identify the specific cause of your pain and correct it without medication or surgery. In many cases, the source of the problem is an unaligned vertebra or a leg asymmetry that a chiropractic adjustment can resolve.
Conclusion: how to treat low back pain
Lower back pain in manual workers is not part of the job; it is a sign that something needs attention. ChiroDuo We evaluate your case 100% in Spanish, identify the real cause and give you a clear treatment plan. In addition, we provide care in Raleigh, Durham and Smithfield on Saturdays and Sundays so you don't lose any work days.
Call (984) 212-4382
