The 10 Jobs with the Most Back Pain (and how to prevent it)

Category: Back Pain | Author: Stefano Sinicropi

back pain at work

Work can be a pain in the neck, but for some people it can also be physically painful. Millions of people have jobs that demand they be physically active for long periods of time. Sometimes this results in an acute back injury, while other times back pain develops from overworking or overstressing certain parts of your back. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at the top ten professions that put the most stress on your back, and how those workers can prevent and treat the pain.

Workers With Back Pain

  1. Firefighters – Tasked with wearing heavy gear, carrying people out of buildings and running up and down stairs, it’s no surprise firefighters deal with a lot of back pain.
  2. Police Officers – Chasing suspects and constantly getting in and out of a car take a toll on a police officer’s back.
  3. Truck Drivers – Physical activity is hard on your back, but so is a staying seated for long periods.
  4. Construction Workers – Construction workers have to do a lot of heavy lifting on the job.
  5. Professional Movers -Lifting and carrying heavy appliances and furniture all day will put extra strain on your back.
  6. Nurses – Nurses are on their feet all day, and lifting patients from beds or onto operating tables can torque their backs in odd ways.
  7. Factory Workers – If you’re operating a machine or bent over an assembly line all day, you’ll feel it in your back when you get home.
  8. Office Workers – If you’re stuck in a chair from 9-5, you’ll run into similar problems as truck drivers.
  9. Mechanic – You’re on your feet all day, and you’re maneuvering heavy parts. A simple recipe for back pain.
  10. Athletes & Dancers – Sports and dancing are extremely physical, and one wrong hit or turn can cause problems in your spine.

Preventing Back Pain At Work

Whether you work in one of the above fields or not, you’ll want to take care of your back while on the job. Here are a few tips to keep back pain from settling in while you’re on the clock:

  • If you’re seated a lot, stand up and move around every 30 minutes or so. Take that phone call on your feet, or invest in a standing desk.
  • If you’re in a physical field, stretch before you start working.
  • Focus on your posture, and invest in a seat cushion to take some pressure off your lower spine.
  • Use the correct techniques when lifting or carrying heavy objects to avoid putting excess strain on your back.

If back pain continues even after using these prevention techniques, contact a spine specialist.

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