A while back we wrote a post titled Everyday Enemies of Spondylolisthesis. In this post we discussed various
everyday activities that may affect your spondylolisthesis.
A couple recent activities got me to thinking about other activities, positions, etc. that can lead to the uncomfortable pains associated with having a spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis. Over the years I have had several flare ups due to a variety of different activities and the previous article only scratched the surface.
I have experienced pain from a multitude of sources and discovering these sources along with correcting them has been a real key for me to avoid the pain associated with having a spondy.
I wrote this article in combination with our previous Everyday Enemies of Spondylolisthesis article is to help you think about what could be causing your flare ups.
Perhaps they are the exact things listed below or perhaps they are something totally different. The purpose is to stimulate thought and help you notice behavioral and physical patterns that might be leading to your pain.
Here are a few more things I have personally experienced that you need to keep an eye out for to help avoid those painful days.
everyday activities that may affect your spondylolisthesis.
A couple recent activities got me to thinking about other activities, positions, etc. that can lead to the uncomfortable pains associated with having a spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis. Over the years I have had several flare ups due to a variety of different activities and the previous article only scratched the surface.
I have experienced pain from a multitude of sources and discovering these sources along with correcting them has been a real key for me to avoid the pain associated with having a spondy.
I wrote this article in combination with our previous Everyday Enemies of Spondylolisthesis article is to help you think about what could be causing your flare ups.
Perhaps they are the exact things listed below or perhaps they are something totally different. The purpose is to stimulate thought and help you notice behavioral and physical patterns that might be leading to your pain.
Here are a few more things I have personally experienced that you need to keep an eye out for to help avoid those painful days.
1. Wallets – This is mainly for guys who obviously carry around a wallet in their back pocket. But it could pertain to other articles in pockets as well. I personally carry around one of the smaller wallets that only holds my license, a few cards and cash. But in the past I had one of those fat wallets that held almost everything.
These fat wallets fold over and create a 2-3” lump in your back pocket. I learned my lesson the hard way and quickly got rid of this fat wallet.
The trouble occurs when you sit for a period of time. The lump in your back pocket causes a shift in your positioning. Naturally one hip is raised due to the fat wallet. If you are seated for a long amount of time this shift can cause stress in the low back region and wreak havoc on muscle groups that are crucial to feeling good.
Pay attention to things in your back pocket or articles that might adjust how you sit. Anything causing excessive shifting can lead to issues.
2. Holding a Baby – My wife and I are experiencing all of the joys of parenthood with our 7 month old baby boy. We have been very lucky to have a healthy baby and in my opinion have handled the normal issues that first time parents experience very well. Being prepared helped. We took classes, talked to friends and read books.
But all of the classes, books and internet forums did not prepare us for the pain associated with holding a 20 lb baby for prolonged periods of time!
I am sure you experienced mothers and fathers know what I am talking about, the position where you balance the baby on one hip and shift all of your weight to one side to compensate. Usually you are holding the baby in this position while you try to multi-task. This position puts a ton of stress on your hips and low back.
These fat wallets fold over and create a 2-3” lump in your back pocket. I learned my lesson the hard way and quickly got rid of this fat wallet.
The trouble occurs when you sit for a period of time. The lump in your back pocket causes a shift in your positioning. Naturally one hip is raised due to the fat wallet. If you are seated for a long amount of time this shift can cause stress in the low back region and wreak havoc on muscle groups that are crucial to feeling good.
Pay attention to things in your back pocket or articles that might adjust how you sit. Anything causing excessive shifting can lead to issues.
2. Holding a Baby – My wife and I are experiencing all of the joys of parenthood with our 7 month old baby boy. We have been very lucky to have a healthy baby and in my opinion have handled the normal issues that first time parents experience very well. Being prepared helped. We took classes, talked to friends and read books.
But all of the classes, books and internet forums did not prepare us for the pain associated with holding a 20 lb baby for prolonged periods of time!
I am sure you experienced mothers and fathers know what I am talking about, the position where you balance the baby on one hip and shift all of your weight to one side to compensate. Usually you are holding the baby in this position while you try to multi-task. This position puts a ton of stress on your hips and low back.
This is probably not an issue for someone who is structurally stable who has never suffered from back pain, but for us spondy sufferers, this position can be VERY painful!
Both my wife and I had a brief bout of back pain and tightness due to this position. I now try to be very aware of how I am holding our little guy for prolonged periods of time.
Extra stretching and strengthening exercises from our SpondySolution program have helped me cope with the
hidden back pain causing dangers of having a newborn.
For those having a baby or currently have one, be cautious of this position. It can cause a few days of pain if you are not careful!
3. Watching TV – This is something I am sure we all have done. It’s not just the watching that is dangerous it is how you do it.
Especially if you watch for a prolonged period of time you can forget about your posture and slowly slump into a very poor position.
Yesterday I was watching the NBA finals and halfway through the first quarter I realized I had completely shifted and slumped way down into our comfortable couch. I was leaning towards my right side with my with my right hand supporting my lazy head.
I was so immersed into the game I had no idea that sitting like this for a prolonged amount of time would certainly create some kind of negative reaction.
TV and other activities that completely consume your attention can be hidden problems for your low back.
To battle this I try to get up during commercials and move around. Even if I just stand up and perform a quick stretch or walk to the bathroom, the movement reminds me to keep decent posture more often than not.
4. Backpacks – This is one of the fastest growing problems I see with young kids. I have worked with several youth athletes who attend such large schools they are forced to carry around loads of books due to the inability to make it to their lockers and back in-between classes.
Backpacks are also bigger and bulkier than ever before to accommodate the massive loads kids are carrying.
These books act like 5 pound weights in on their back and force them into a very rounded posture. This type of posture puts tons of stress on the low back and forces the muscles in the front of the hips to shorten and become tight.
Parents, be cautious of the amount of books and equipment your kids carry around every day. Surprisingly, carrying around such heavy bags all day can make spondy pain much, much worse.
These are only a few of many everyday enemies of your spondylolisthesis. I am very interested in finding out what has caused you problems. Leave a quick comment below to aware others of everyday activities that have caused you pain or check us out on FACEBOOK.
Being aware and avoiding these activities is a big step to avoiding the pain associated with spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis. I hope bringing awareness to these enemies will provide you some help!
Both my wife and I had a brief bout of back pain and tightness due to this position. I now try to be very aware of how I am holding our little guy for prolonged periods of time.
Extra stretching and strengthening exercises from our SpondySolution program have helped me cope with the
hidden back pain causing dangers of having a newborn.
For those having a baby or currently have one, be cautious of this position. It can cause a few days of pain if you are not careful!
3. Watching TV – This is something I am sure we all have done. It’s not just the watching that is dangerous it is how you do it.
Especially if you watch for a prolonged period of time you can forget about your posture and slowly slump into a very poor position.
Yesterday I was watching the NBA finals and halfway through the first quarter I realized I had completely shifted and slumped way down into our comfortable couch. I was leaning towards my right side with my with my right hand supporting my lazy head.
I was so immersed into the game I had no idea that sitting like this for a prolonged amount of time would certainly create some kind of negative reaction.
TV and other activities that completely consume your attention can be hidden problems for your low back.
To battle this I try to get up during commercials and move around. Even if I just stand up and perform a quick stretch or walk to the bathroom, the movement reminds me to keep decent posture more often than not.
4. Backpacks – This is one of the fastest growing problems I see with young kids. I have worked with several youth athletes who attend such large schools they are forced to carry around loads of books due to the inability to make it to their lockers and back in-between classes.
Backpacks are also bigger and bulkier than ever before to accommodate the massive loads kids are carrying.
These books act like 5 pound weights in on their back and force them into a very rounded posture. This type of posture puts tons of stress on the low back and forces the muscles in the front of the hips to shorten and become tight.
Parents, be cautious of the amount of books and equipment your kids carry around every day. Surprisingly, carrying around such heavy bags all day can make spondy pain much, much worse.
These are only a few of many everyday enemies of your spondylolisthesis. I am very interested in finding out what has caused you problems. Leave a quick comment below to aware others of everyday activities that have caused you pain or check us out on FACEBOOK.
Being aware and avoiding these activities is a big step to avoiding the pain associated with spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis. I hope bringing awareness to these enemies will provide you some help!
