What is lumbago/lumbalgia?
Lumbago or lumbalgia is the medical term for the sudden, very severe stabbing back pain in the lumbar spine area, also known as " lumbago ". Lumbago is not an illness, but rather a symptom that can have different causes. To relieve the pain, those affected often adopt a bent, protective posture. This is where the name "lumbago" comes from.
How does lumbago develop?
The abrupt movement or poor posture when bending over or lifting a heavy object can cause the small joints of the spine to get caught or two vertebrae that are otherwise able to move against each other to become blocked. Since there are numerous nerves and nerve fibers in the area of the joints, such blockages are often the cause of severe back pain in lumbago.
The deep muscles of the spine (so-called autochthonous back muscles) can also cramp and strain during unfavorable movements, resulting in lumbago.
A slipped disc is often blamed for lumbago. However, this is one of the rarer causes of lumbago. Increased pressure, for example when bending over, can cause the nucleus pulposus to bulge. In this case, it is referred to as a bulging disc. If the fibrous ring is even broken by the pressure, a slipped disc (disc prolapse) occurs. The disc then falls forward, so to speak. The bulging or fallen disc presses on the nerve roots that come from the spinal cord and causes severe pain in the lumbar spine area.
There are also other, more rare causes, such as narrowing of the vertebral area caused by tumors or inflammation.
How can you prevent lumbago?
Lumbago comes on quite suddenly. However, the actual cause usually has a long history: sitting at a desk for hours, years of lack of exercise and being overweight all play a major role. Due to the lack of exercise, the abdominal and back muscles of most people are so atrophied that muscles cramp, vertebrae shift and intervertebral discs bulge - and that is painful.
The only way to combat recurring pain is to build up or strengthen the muscles, especially the back muscles. The more the muscles are trained, the less likely it is that poor posture, tension or similar irritations will occur.
In addition to targeted courses and exercises to strengthen the back muscles, which most fitness and sports studios offer, you should make sure to integrate more exercise into your everyday life - especially at work.
Most of us work more than 40 hours a week in the office - most of the time sitting down - and therefore move less than 1 hour a day. However, one or two hours of sport/fitness after work or at the weekend cannot compensate for the lack of movement caused by long periods of sitting down.
Aeris has therefore developed a special 3D ergonomics concept for active chairs that encourage and promote natural and self-organized movement during the inevitable sitting in everyday working life. Thanks to the patented 3D active technology and gas pressure spring, you can follow the natural movements of the body when sitting on the Aeris Swopper or the Aeris 3Dee. The vertical swinging relieves the strain on the intervertebral discs and promotes blood circulation. The lateral flexibility increases the radius of action, at the same time optimizing the natural posture and strengthening the muscles. The 3D joint close to the ground also ensures a natural forward tilt as soon as the person sitting turns towards the workplace . The result: the back stays straight and the back muscles are strengthened. Sitting on the Aeris active seats therefore integrates more movement into everyday life and trains the muscles. And that is good for the back.
References
My Back Book, Prof. Dr. Dietrich Grönemeyer, Zabert Sandmann Publishing, 2004
