Though most people will suffer back pain at least once in their lives, women are more likely to experience it than men, especially after they reach 40 years old. The article covers the common causes of back pain in women and the best way to reduce the odds of experiencing the pain yourself.
The primary contributing factor is wear and tear on the body, which causes both upper and lower back pain. This is something that both men and women experience. The factors that are specific to back pain in women is premenstrual syndrome, pregnancy, and ailments related to menstruation. Pregnancy causes a lot of strain on the spine as all of the organs are shifted around, and women have to shift their bodies to do normal things like standing and walking, putting a lot more stress on the spine. Women who experience pregnancy in their 40s and later compound those problems because their musculoskeletal system isn’t as robust as it was when they were younger because of the extra years of wear and tear. They also tend to be less active and have a greater BMI, which further increases stress on the spine during a pregnancy.
Women are also more likely to have osteoporosis when they get older. This can contribute to the pain. Menopause is another significant contributor to the pain as there are significant hormonal changes, particular in estrogen levels.
The following are ways to help minimize back pain as you age:
- Maintain an exercise schedule, ensuring that you exercise every day. This should include some work on your core to better maintain balance and a healthy posture.
- Be more aware of your posture and try to keep your spine straight when sitting and standing.
- Make sure you have enough vitamin D and calcium in your diet.
- Seek medical help when you start to experience pain, not after you have noticed it for a few days.
Since back pain is a significant cause of lost production at work, lost enjoyment of activities in a person’s personal life, and reduction in quality of life, learning how to manage or avoid this can help improve your quality of life after 40 years of age. You can read the full article to learn more at Back Pain in Women after 40: Experts on Surprising Causes and Prevention Tips.
* O’Connell and Associates provides this article for informational purposes only.