Is your job hard on your back? All jobs can strain your back and neck if you are sitting in a chair that strains your back and don't take time to stretch. The American Chiropractic Association recently published a list of the "Top 10 Most Back Breaking Jobs". Check below on these ten jobs from www.ACAToday.org to see if your occupation is on the list and ways to minimize the incredible strain on your back.
10. Auto mechanics. They work in physically awkward positions all day long, including bending over cars, sliding under cars.
9. Nursing home workers. They spend the majority of their day lifting elderly people into and out of bed. Their backs can easily become twisted and off-center so taking time to stretch, go for a walk and get a chiropractic adjustment is critical.
8. Delivery drivers. They are always running and carrying heavy and awkward packages. Packages shipped via UPS, FedEx, etc., have increased in weight over the years, which means additional strain when carrying heavy packages besides spending hours on the road each day.
7. Firefighters/EMTs. These everyday heroes deal with fire, water pressure from hoses and have to chop obstacles with an ax. They often carry people of all sizes to safety. Although firefighters and EMTs go through a lot of training to avoid injuries, back strain is unavoidable especially since a fire may take endless hours to finally control.
6. Shingle roofers. They are always twisting their bodies while trying to maintain their balance with the sun beating down on them all day. Roofing is hard and strenuous, but strain can be minimized by taking breaks to stretch and stay hydrated.
5. Farmers. They are strong and lift heavy equipment and bags of feed and grain. When doing fieldwork, they have to constantly turn backward to watch equipment that is pulled behind a tractor and wrangle animals. Their backs are constantly strained as they work long hours during harvest season.
4. Police officers. These heroes sit in their cars for long periods of time, which is rough on the lower back. They suddenly have to move into action when a call comes in or they have to arrest someone who is resistant. Not to mention the belts they wear that can weigh up to 40 pounds.
3. Landscapers. They lift heavy objects, carry equipment, push wheelbarrows and constantly bend while building structures and planting flowers and plants.
2. Construction workers. Their daily job can involve hammering, lifting, steelwork, woodwork or ironwork in awkward positions. Construction work can vary from residential to commercial, but it's all hard labor and hard on the back muscles.
1. Heavy truck and tractor-trailer drivers. They endure constant compression and vibration from trucks while driving and performing maintenance. This will damage the back over time if measures are not taking to keep the back in shape. Prolonged sitting puts pressure on the spine, which can result in disc degeneration. Liquid-carrying trucks are particularly bad because the fluid in the tank slams back and forth when the truck comes to a sudden stop.
How to Reduce Back Pain
Take time to stretch and drink a lot of water through out the day. Visit your chiropractor regularly to take care of minor aches and pains and consider doing yoga stretches. Reduce the amount of quick processed food from your diet and increase fruits, veggies, and the amount of water you drink.