How Back Pain Affects Your Work
Chronic lower back pain is one of the top ten reasons people consult their family doctor. Back pain affects more than just your lumbar spine. It also has an impact on how you live your life on a daily basis.
According to studies, chronic back pain accounts for roughly 23% of payments made over Workers’ Compensation. It’s a disability that can drastically change your world.
Experiencing lower back pain triggers a domino effect. It’s painful to the extent that you’re unable to move around. It makes you dependent on others, which can be difficult if you’re living alone. It typically leads to frustration because, all of a sudden, you can’t do the things you normally can. It often triggers depression since it also affects your mental and emotional state. It’s expensive to cure – especially if it’s a chronic disorder. It’s a condition that puts restrictions on all aspects of your life – work, social interaction, family time, and intimacy with your partner.
Back pain can happen to anyone, even to children. But people who do hard labor are more prone to it, especially those who deal with or carry heavy objects all the time. When you have chronic back pain, your job is at risk, and your work opportunities become limited because:
Physically:
You become less fit and conditioned to do manual labor or manage day-to-day activity.
You become prone to injury since your muscles are weakened.
You get tired easily due to lack of stamina and endurance.
If back pain is affecting your life, request an appointment with Dr. Postier today!
Socially:
You get emotional and mental fatigue from failing to participate in group activities due to fear of pain.
You have no choice but to avoid fun and physical interactions with your teammates and colleagues.
You get mood swings that can be misinterpreted by others.
You get a sense of disconnection fearing you don’t get to contribute a lot to your group.
Functionally:
You become a liability since you can’t perform your work well.
You become less self-sufficient and more dependent on others.
You get lethargic and restless all the time, resulting to incomplete or mediocre work.
In the end, you have to adjust your life and/or career to accommodate your chronic back pain. And not all businesses or employers will allow you to continue to work, which ultimately means financial restrictions.
To put it bluntly, back pain is serious business. When you experience this condition, it’s important to be proactive and consult a chiropractor as soon as possible. Note that not all back pain turns chronic, but if you disregard it, the pain can cost you a lot.
New patients receive a free 30-minute consultation. Schedule now!