Top 10 Worst Jobs for Back Pain

Heavy lifting, repetitive movements, and staying put all day may strain your back. Get the facts about spine-related pain at work and its preventions.

The backache, whether it is dull and bearable, or stabbing and sharp, can make it difficult to concentrate on work. Unfortunately, many professions (such as construction, nursing, and factory work) can be challenging for your back. Even daily office work may cause or worsen back pain. 

Understand the causes of back pain at work and see what you can do to prevent it.

Common Causes of Back Pain at Work

Many factors can contribute to back pain during your work. Such as;

• Force: Exerting too much force on your spine, such as moving or lifting heavy objects can lead to injuries.
• Repetition: Repetitive movements, specifically those that involve spine twisting and rotation, may hurt the back.
• Inactivity: Inactive profession or desk job can also result in lower back pain. Especially bad posture or prolonged sitting with inadequate back support are the reasons.

A recent informal survey found that the following ten professions exert the greatest strains and stress on the lower back muscles.

Nurses – have to carry the sick and older adults into or out of bed. The body of workers may become off-centered and twisted.

Delivery workers – are always working according to a fast schedule and often carry heavy and burdensome packages. Over the years, the weight of shipments sent via UPS, FedEx, etc., have increased in weight. This occupation also involves a lot of driving.

Rescue workers / Firefighters – teams handle fire and water pressure from pipes and other heavy equipment. They often get people to safety, which is especially problematic if the victim is incapacitated or obese.

Construction workers’ – jobs involve lifting, bending, and twisting, all in very difficult positions.

Farmers – lift heavy bags and equipment of grains and feed. When doing fieldwork, they usually have to turn back to watch the equipment being dragged behind the tractor.

Auto mechanics – work all day long in physically uncomfortable positions.

Shingle roofers – have to twist and rotate their bodies all day long.

Gardeners / Landscapers – lift heavyweight objects in inappropriate positions compared to other occupations.

Police officers – often sit in their cars for a long time, which is rough on the spine. When called to action, they make sudden movements and often encounter resistance from their arrests. The police also wear a belt, which weighed up to 40 pounds that result in chronic back pain.

Heavy tractor-trailer / Truck drivers – subject to constant vibration from trucks and compression of joints due to lack of movement, which can contribute to lower back pain and other spinal disorders. Prolonged sitting also exerts pressure on the spine and may lead to disc degeneration.

How to Prevent Back Pain?

Although you may not always be able to change your occupation or job responsibilities, there are some steps you can take to alleviate pain and improve your body mechanics. Follow the suggestions below:

• Exercise regularly.
• Maintain the correct posture.
• Take periodic breaks to stretch your body.
• Practice safe lifting techniques during work.
• Perform alternative tasks that use diverse muscle groups.
• Stretch your leg and back muscles to relieve fatigue and reduce lower back pain.
• Make sure to raise your knees, bring objects close to your body, and don’t twist yourself while lifting objects.
• Wear supportive and comfortable shoes to reduce leg, foot, and back pain.
• Consider seeing a chiropractor and determine the best way to relieve pain.

Keep a Positive Attitude

People experiencing back complications often feel that they have to deal with their condition silently. If the current job is putting too much strain on your back, it is better to discuss your situation with Human Resources and request accommodation or to find a new livelihood.

The Takeaway: 

The fact is that no occupation is exempt from back pain, but some professions are prone to neck and back pain. The key to protecting your back is to prevent being in any posture or position for too long. Keep stretching, keep moving, and seeing your chiropractor regularly.

Contact us today! We look forward to working with you so that you can live a life of complete health and vitality.

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