Labor Day is fast approaching, and that means many students will soon be moving into their dorm room or heading back to campus for another year at college. Whatever the college experience holds for you, know that if you’re not careful, your time at university can also be quite hard on your spine. In today’s blog, we share some tips for preventing back pain during your time in college.
How College Can Hurt Your Spine
You have a lot on your plate during college, and because back problems aren’t typically viewed as something that affects people in their late teens and early twenties, many people don’t pay much mind to their spine health during their college years. Your spine health doesn’t need to be your top priority during your time at college, but you shouldn’t just ignore it unless a problem develops either. Here are some ways that college life can lead to back pain, and some simple tips for avoiding these issues.
- Your Seated Studying Habits – Long nights at the library can become the norm in college, but if you’re constantly hunched over a desk or slumped in a bean bag chair while you study, your back is going to be forced to handle stress in an odd position for an extended period of time. This may just lead to some mild to moderate soreness once your study session is over, but you’re developing bad posture habits and contributing to the gradual breakdown of key spinal structures. Have good posture when you’re sitting and studying, with your head positioned above your shoulders. Make sure you sit in a supportive chair and stand up or move around a couple times each hour to reduce stagnant muscle tension in your spine.
- The Freshman Fifteen – Weight gain can also occur more easily during college for a number of reasons, including as a result of stress and limited activity caused by your need to study. Whatever the reason, it’s imperative that you are aware of these threats to weight gain and you work to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Monitor your calorie intake, push yourself to get regular exercise and find other outlets for stress relief instead of eating.
- Overtraining – There’s also the possibility that you are overly active and putting excessive stress on your spine. That’s not to say that you should shy away from activity, but be mindful of the stress you’re putting on your back when you’re active. If you’re running each day, doing a lifting routine that is stressful on your back and then you’re playing intramural sports during the week, your spine may break down from too much strain. Try to work in some low-impact exercises and go easy on your spine if pain or soreness starts to develop.
- Poor Sleeping Habits – A final way that college can be hard on your spine is because of your sleeping habits. If you’re burning the midnight oil studying for an exam or waking up early to get to class, you may not be getting enough restorative sleep, which can lead to inflammation and other issues in your spine. We know that this is easier said than done, but try to go to bed and wake up around the same time each day, and strive for at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep. This way your body and your spine can recover from the rigors of each day.
And if you run into back problems or spinal discomfort during college, make it a point to reach out to your primary care provider or a spine specialist. Left untreated, spine pain can snowball and become a lifelong annoyance, so stop the issue in its tracks. For more information, or for help with your back issue, give Dr. Sinicropi’s office a call today at (651) 430-3800.
