Why do smokers need to quit smoking?
An office worker may chalk up the ache to an uncomfortable chair. A construction worker could possibly have a sore back blaming his jackhammer. But if both characters turn out to be smokers then there may be a single common reason for their pain.
In recent years, researchers have shown a connection between smoking and low back pain. In a study smokers appear to be more likely than nonsmokers to suffer sore backs. It affects both males and females, manual laborers and white-collar employees.
The investigation develops interesting questions on the root causes of pain. In addition it gives smokers an entirely new reason to quit.
What Science Says on the Link Between Smoking and Lower Back Pain
As per the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, nicotine in cigarettes affects the brain processes like the central perception of pain and sensory stimuli. The cigarettes affect the path that brain sends its pain signal.
Smoking slows down the circulatory system and inhibits the nutrient supply to the muscle tissues and joints and thus resulting in lower back pain and other musculoskeletal pain. The researchers published that “Smoking increases the hazard of transitioning to CBP [chronic back pain], an effect mediated by corticostriatal circuitry and an addictive behavior.”
Smokers are three times more prone to chronic low back pain. This was first published by a research group that aimed to diagnose the causes of low back pain. The study concluded that the onset of lower back pain was greatly associated with a history of smoking and high blood pressure.
The development of lumbar spondylosis was highly correlated to a history of smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels in the blood.
About Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue Physical Therapy and Wellness was created at the onset of the new millennium in order to bridge the gap between strength and conditioning and rehabilitation. We have 2 clinics in New York (Grand Central & The Hamptons) and provide care to everyone at a level that Olympic athletes receive. The services we offer are physical therapy, acupuncture, yoga, massage and more.
If you’re looking to build yourself up as an athlete, why not take personal training from us? Where better to train than a place that has built up professional athletes to the highest degree.
Contact Us
If you’re in pain and need help or looking for a service we can provide for you and you’re in New York, then please contact us on 212-529-5700. Or you can fill in your details on our contact page and we will get back to you.