Back Pain & Fatigue: The Causes & Symptoms

Back pain and fatigue are very common in the modern day. According to studies, back pain is the most common physical complaint at workspaces. Both ailments are deeply related, and they can be quite complicated to deal with as they prevent you from having a normal day.

There are diverse causes for these problems, and different symptoms may be present depending on it. These ailments can also affect your psyche, as you will be unable to focus on another thing but your discomfort and pain.

We will explain the different causes of back pain and work fatigue and what you can do to start feeling relief in your daily life.

Can Back Pain Cause Fatigue?

Yes. Back pain can cause fatigue if the pain prevents you from following a healthy sleep schedule, especially if it’s about a muscle pull. Back muscle pulls or low back causes severe pain and tiredness, but it can be solved by leading an active lifestyle and providing yourself with ergonomic solutions in your workspace.

However, it is also important to know the different causes that may cause you to feel back pain and extreme tiredness nearly every day.

Causes of Back Pain and Fatigue

The causes can be different and may vary from one individual to another. For starters, lower back pain appears when the soft tissues are injured, but other common causes may include the following:

• Stretched, torn, or damaged muscles
• Nerve compression
• Damaged discs
• Improper spinal joint movements

Feeling back pain can make your daily routine quite complicated and may also prevent you from getting sufficient sleep at night. Hence, it isn’t strange for you to be more tired than usual if you’re dealing with some form of back pain on a daily basis.

While these causes are quite common, please note that chronic conditions may also lead to back pain and extreme tiredness. For instance, it's usual for people with kidney pain to feel extreme difficulty walking and

Common Symptoms of Lower Back Pain

Of course, the main symptom is severe pain in the lumbar area. However, there are many other symptoms related to lower back pain that people often overlook:

• You may feel pain in your legs, be it on the front, the back, or to the sides.
• Lower back pain typically becomes unbearable at night while you're trying to sleep.
• You may feel numbness in selected zones of your legs.
• Last but not least, whenever you’re engaging in certain activities, the back pain will become worse and will likely make you exhausted very quickly.

Observing your symptoms and determining if certain activities or behaviors make them worse is important. It's also worth noting that back pain may present itself differently on each individual, as the causes may vary. Either way, diverse solutions can apply to the same problem.

How to Treat Fatigue and Lower Back Pain

Once you determine the cause of your physical complaint, the next step is to look for solutions that can help you reduce the symptoms. However, please note that this information may not be accurate for your case. We recommend visiting a physician to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment.

In the meantime, integrating some of the following solutions at home for your back pain and fatigue can help you feel relief while you’re working or engaging in other activities.

1.  Invest in a standing desk

Suppose your job requires you to remain seated for prolonged periods. In that case, we highly recommend you invest in an office desk with height adjustability so you can alternate between sitting and standing once you start feeling uncomfortable while working.

Using a standing desk while working or gaming can be hugely beneficial as your back will not be under the same amount of pressure it would be in the regular sitting posture.

If you want to use a standing desk, we highly recommend you get an anti-fatigue mat or an office standing mat to keep you thoroughly supported throughout the work session regardless of how long you’ve decided to stand. When you accompany your standing desk with one of the best chairs for back pain at home, you will likely experience positive changes in your daily life.

2.  Use an ergonomic chair

Ergonomic chairs are must-haves in any office environment. While standing desks can be a good solution for back pain and fatigue, standing for too long can be quite exhausting, and the point is to feel less tired. Hence, you need an appropriate seat whenever you need to take a break.

You can take a look at this list of best chairs for back pain at home if you’re interested in replacing your old chair with a better option.

The best ergonomic chair for you should help you correct your posture and should keep your back thoroughly supported throughout the day.

3.  Be physically active

Although engaging in physical activity can feel painful and exhausting at first, you will gradually become more energetic, and your physical complaints will start reducing. Most physicians recommend doing stretches and performing exercises to reduce lower back pain. You don't have to do anything fancy, and you don't have to overwork yourself.

For instance, you can go out for a run in the mornings for starters and perform a few stretches to avoid back pain and fatigue. Over time, you can start integrating other exercises until you've established a routine and created a good habit.

4.  Heat or ice packs

Applying heat or cold to the affected can help you feel relief. Heat can help you reduce stiffness, while ice has a soothing effect that can help you relax and forget about the pain for a while. We recommend experimenting with both options until you find out what works best for you.

5.  Massages

Massaging the lower back area can also help you feel relieved and can help you relax your muscles. Plus, it can positively affect your psyche as it is known to reduce your stress levels and anxiety.

6.  Follow a healthy diet

"You are what you eat." Hence, we recommend analyzing your eating habits and changing them for healthier options. You can request assistance from a nutritionist, too.

When to See a Doctor

You should seek help from a professional if the back pain lasts for too long, affects your daily activities, and has serious symptoms, like numbness around the back passage or similar.