• Food
  • Family
  • Beauty & Health
  • Style
  • Great Women
  • Events/Win
  • Food
    • Eating Out
    • Cooking Tips
    • Festive Food
    • Asian Recipes
    • Food
    • Celebrity Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Western Recipes
  • Family
    • Family
    • Save Money
    • Parenting
    • Sex & Marriage
    • Travel
  • Beauty & Health
    • Beauty & Health
    • Skincare
    • Makeup
    • Hair
    • Awards
    • Diet & Nutrition
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
  • Spa Awards 2022
  • Style
  • Great Women
    • Career
    • Great Women of Our Time
    • Real Life
  • Entertainment
  • EVENTS/WIN
  • #SchoolForLife
  • Hair Awards
  • Great Escape
  • Explore Singapore
  • Also available at:
Privacy Menu
SPH Media

Copyright © 2022 SPH Media Limited. Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. All rights reserved.

  • Food
  • Family
  • Beauty & Health
  • Style
  • Great Women
  • Events/Win

Beauty & Health

5 Surprising Daily Activities That Could Be Causing You Backache

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Beauty & Health

5 Surprising Daily Activities That Could Be Causing You Backache

January 24, 2018

Body aches are annoying, and can stem from a variety of causes such as sitting too long at your office desk, not exercising enough or more serious reasons like spine conditions. But most of the time, they occur from daily tasks and activities you perform at home without realising that they’re hurting your spine. Here are a few surprising ones, with tips from Physiotherapist Joanne Buchan on ways to combat them:

READ MORE:
How To Choose The Best Mattress To Suit Your Sleeping Needs And Beat Body Aches
Yoga Teacher Tara Stiles Shows 6 Poses To Relieve Body Aches And Pains
10 Easy Ways To Boost Your Heart Health

https://www.womensweekly.com.sg/gallery/beauty-and-health/surprising-everyday-things-causing-backache/
5 Surprising Daily Activities That Could Be Causing You Backache
1. Twisting for the toilet roll
image

Contorting your spine while reaching too far forwards or backwards at an awkward angle could strain your back. The ideal place to have the toilet roll is approximately 65 cm from the floor and 20 to 30 cm in front of the bowl so that it just about lines up with your knee when you are seated. This helps avoid overreaching. 

Photo: Pexels
2. Lying down on non-supportive pillows
image

If your pillow is too high or low, it holds your spine at an awkward angle. Joanne shares, “Your pillow needs to support your head and neck in a neutral position. Contoured pillows can help hold the head, neck and shoulders in the right position.” Click here to find out which pillow is best suited for your sleep position. 

Photo: 123RF
3. Lifting heavy trays from a low oven
image

If you bake or roast food regularly, bending down to lift heavy baking trays from a low oven can cause a back injury, especially if you don’t use the right lifting technique. “When lifting dishes out of the oven, be sure to keep your back straight, take a wide stance, switch on your stomach muscles and bend from the knees and hips,” Jo says.

Photo: Pexels
4. Your top shelves are too high
image

If you’re overreaching for the top shelves, you’re likely to strain a muscle or hurt your shoulders. “Reduce the risk of pain by switching on your stomach muscles and making sure your shoulders stay down and back, away from your ears,” Jo says. 

Photo: Pixabay
5. Binge-watching television
image

When your eyes are glued to the screen, chances are you’re more involved in the unfolding plot of your favourite TV show than what’s happening to your neck and the awkward position it’s in. Ease a stiff neck and shoulder aches by ensuring that the screen is at eye level, which means no more holding your phone or tablet for long hours! Also, take vision breaks after every episode as it helps you move and readjust your position. 

READ MORE:
Body Aches And Pains You Shouldn’t Ignore
8 Simple Ways To Turn Your Home Into A Stress-Free Zone
25 Home Items You Should Toss Or Replace For The New Year

Text: Woman’s Day, Bauer / Additional Reporting: Elizabeth Liew

  • TAGS:
  • Aches
  • aches and pains
  • family health
  • Health
  • healthy living
  • Home
SHARE THIS ON

What’s Hot

Beauty & Health

Zoe Tay, Rebecca Lim And Other Asian Cel...

Beauty & Health

8 Most Therapeutic And Fun Hobbies To Re...

Beauty & Health

Try These Tips To Sleep Better Every Night

Beauty & Health

4 Simple Exercises To Improve Your Stability

Beauty & Health

This Is How Jang Na-Ra Looks 20 At 41

Beauty & Health

6 Things To Know About Chanel's Newest P...

Are Plastic Food Containers Safe For You...

Beauty & Health

If You've Had Covid-19, You Have More Ri...

Beauty & Health

Here's What Joanne Peh Uses To Look Radi...

Beauty & Health

Understated (But Stunning) New Hairstyle...

Family

9 Must-Know Ways To Protect Your Family ...

Beauty & Health

The Ultimate Guide To Caring For Your Eyes

Don’t Miss These
  • Awards Radiate With A Youthful Glow With This Facial For The Go-...
  • Awards This Firming Facial Will Turn The Clock Back On Your Skin
  • Awards This Laser Treatment Gives You A Lit-From-Within Glow – #...
  • Awards Get The Body You Have Always Wanted With This Fat Freeze ...
  • Awards Trim And Tone Your Body In No Time With This Body Sculpto...
  • Awards The Anti-Ageing Facial That Protects Your Skin From Digit...
Editor’s Picks
  • EVENTS/WIN Vote For Your Fave Household Brands & Win $200 Takashimaya Vouchers
  • Diet & Nutrition Savour The Deliciousness Of Chocolate While Being Kind To Your Gut
  • Beauty & Health Zoe Tay, Rebecca Lim And Other Asian Celebs On The Beauty Of Getting Older
  • Beauty & Health Try These Tips To Sleep Better Every Night
  • Organising A KonMari Consultant's Hack For Saving Time & Money At Home
  • Skincare Jamie Yeo Swears By These 7 Beauty Products To Maintain Her Youthful Appearance
  • Awards This Postpartum Recovery Centre Is A Must-Go Haven For New Mums
  • Beauty & Health 4 Simple Exercises To Improve Your Stability
Don't Miss Out Ever Again!
Tips & tricks to stay sane + win invites to our events!

By signing up, you indicate that you have read and agreed with our Privacy Statement
Footer Menu
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Conditions of Access
  • PDPA
  • Privacy Policy
?>">
SPH Magazine

Copyright © 2022 SPH Media Limited. Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. All rights reserved.