What Causes Work-Related Back Pain? (And How You Can Prevent It)

Back pain is a common occurrence among workers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 1 million workers will sustain a back injury in any given year. Some workers are more susceptible to back injuries than others. Regardless, back injuries consistently rank as one of the most common types of injuries in the workplace. By understanding what causes painful back injuries, though, you can prevent them.

Common Causes of Work-Related Back Pain

Work-related back pain is often the result of improper lifting practices. If you lift objects incorrectly, you'll inadvertently strain the muscles and/or joints in your back. Depending on the severity of the injury, this may lead to back pain. Improper lifting practices ranks as one of the most common causes of work-related back pain.

Some workers experience back pain from sitting for prolonged periods. It's a common assumption that sitting is better for your back than standing. In reality, it's worse because it compresses your spinal column. When you sit, the discs in your spinal column will compress -- more so than when you stand. Over time, this constant compression can lead to back pain.

Tips to Prevent Work-Related Back Pain

While common in the workplace, there are ways to prevent work-related back pain. If your job requires you to lift boxes, equipment or over heavy loads on a regular basis, you should be conscious of your posture. We've talked about this before on the Safety Company blog, but it's worth mentioning again that you should always lift objects with your legs and not your back. Instead of bending over to lift an object, flex your knees to lower your body to the ground while maintaining your spine's natural alignment.

If your job requires you to sit for long periods at a time, you should take breaks to stand and stretch your legs. Sometimes all it takes is a short five-minute stretching break to alleviate the pressure on your spine and, therefore, protect against back pain.

For additional protection against work-related back pain, you may want to invest in a back support belt. Back support belts live up to their namesake by supporting your back. When worn, they'll offer support for your spinal column so that it's less likely to sustain injuries like strains and sprains.

In Conclusion

Work-related back pain is more than just a nuisance. It's a serious problem that affects over 1 million workers per year. You can prevent it, however, by following some basic precautionary measures.