It can sometimes be easy to pinpoint the cause of sudden back pain that makes you call your chiropractor. Moving heavy boxes. Overdoing it at the gym. Digging in the garden. But it can be trickier to discover the reasons behind chronic back pain. Here, are some less obvious factors that may be to blame for your achy back.

You’re stressed out

Emotional outlook is becoming recognised as more and more of a factor in back pain Mental stress can manifests itself physiologically. If you’re under stree for a long period of time, muscle tension increases and can lead to pain. Common areas for stress-triggered pain include the neck, mid back and lower back.

Your heels are too high

Your great shoe collection might be hurting your back. High heels change your centre of gravity. Heels put extra pressure on the feet, and cause you to not fully extend the calf. The normal curve in your low back also increases in angulation, putting more stress on the lower back, which can cause pain, he says. If you do wear heels for work, perhaps invest in a nice pair of flats or even trainers for the commute and change over at the office.

Your diet

A 2014 study in the Asian Spine Journal found that about 31 percent of women and 25 percent of men who suffered from back pain also had gastrointestinal complaints.  The link between nutrition and back pain may be about inflammation; foods high in fat and sugar trigger inflammation.  Aim for “clean” whole foods instead of processed ones whenever possible and foods high in Omega 3 and lower in Omega 6.

Your trousers are too tight

Skinny jeans could be hurting your back. It’s thought that tight outfits constrict the body, which limiting your range of motion and not allowing normal muscle contraction aand possible putting extra strain your back, neck, and shoulders.

You sit all day

“nactivity is one of the worst things you can do to your body. Try to stretch early morning, midday and before bed. It’s also a good idea to get up and change your posture hourly and to make sure your back is supported and not slouched when you are seated. As chiropractors in the City of London this understandably  is one of the most common reasons people cite.

You still smoke

A recent Northwestern University study found that smokers are three times more likely than non-smokers to develop chronic back pain. “[Smoking] affects the way the brain responds to back pain and seems to make individuals less resilient to an episode of pain,” the researchers claim.. Smokers who give up habit during the study period experienced a decrease in chronic pain. Previous studies found that smoking may damage tissue in the lower back by reducing micro-circulation to the low back.

You’ve been skipping core exercises

A strong core can combat a painful back. If your core muscles are weak, your lower back has to work harder, which can lead or aggravate  back pain. Try plank, superman, or bird dog exercises, which engage your core.  Get help from a chiropractor or physio if you need advice.

You’re dehydrated

The bones of your spine have discs between them, each partly made up of a jelly-like cartilages that is 90 percent water. Your body needs a steady stream of water coming in to help keep that cushioning intact, according to the Cleveland Clinic Center for Spine Health. When your body lacks hydration, those discs can become dry and less flexible, which can lead to pain.

Your pelvis is uneven

Many people have no idea that their pelvis is uneven, which means one side of your pelvis is slightly higher than the other. The imbalance can cause lower back pain in your day-to-day life, due to increase stress on the spine. Get a your City of London chiropractor to check this over

You have a urinary tract infection

Pain in the lower and upper back or sharp pains in the flank (side) can be a sign that a urinary tract infection has spread to the kidneys. If you’ve noticed other classic UTI symptoms like increased urge to urinate or pain during urination, see a doctor immediately for treatment.