Are You Making These Five Common Back Pain Mistakes?

Common Back Pain Mistake #1: Poor Diet

A poor diet can impact us in many ways we don’t expect: one major way is our muscular health. A diverse diet rich in fruits, vegetables, protein, and complex carbohydrates can help ease and prevent back pain and other issues. On the other hand, a diet lacking in magnesium, antioxidants, and other essential nutrients–or a diet high in sugar and poor quality fats such as trans fats–might lead to muscle spasms, inflammation, or increased oxidative stress. To help avoid this common back pain mistake, it’s important to take stock of your regular diet and supplement where you might be falling short. We recommend supporting your nutrition plan with a high-quality multivitamin regimen like the Standard Process General Health Pack, available here.  

Common Back Pain Mistake #2: Bad Posture 

Slumping, slouching, or even sitting in the same position for extended periods of time without giving your back a moment to stretch and rest can wreak havoc on your muscles and joints. That’s why it’s important to stretch regularly and integrate breaks into your work routine. Even a five-minute stretch break in the middle of a twenty minute work block can yield results and stop back pain before it starts. 

Common Back Pain Mistake #3: Lack of Exercise 

Exercise–even light exercise like walking–helps keep our muscles, bones, and joints strong, including the muscles in our back and core. This becomes even more important as we age. Over time, lack of exercise can lead to reduced mobility, low flexibility, and weak muscles, all of which can lead to back pain. Avoid making this common back pain mistake by adding regular exercise to your daily routine. Make sure to include a mixture of cardiovascular and strength-based training. Already have a workout plan? You can support and sustain muscle growth with a high-quality whey powder like Standard Process Whey Pro Complete.

Common Back Pain Mistake #4: Stress

Stress impacts more than our mental and emotional health–it also takes a toll on our physical health. In response to stress, the body releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol which play an important role in energy production. These hormones help us respond to immediate dangers with an extra burst of energy. However, over time, large amounts of stress can weaken our immune system, digestion, and even our muscles and joints. That’s why it’s important to engage in healthy self-care routines that help us overcome day-to-day stressors without putting too much strain on our bodies. Supplements such as Min-Tran, Kava Forte, and Ashwagandha Forte offer gentle, natural relief for stress, and can be used to support back pain and muscle tension. 

Common Back Pain Mistake #5: Sleep Problems

Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or a lack of good quality sleep can all lead to poor muscle health, including in your back and shoulders. Sleep problems can stem from any number of sources including stress, excess exposure to blue light from phone and computer screens, or even nutritional deficiencies. Supplements such as Standard Process’s Min-Chex, Valerian Complex, and Cataplax B2 encourage deep, long-lasting sleep and help your body recover from back pain.