Many people think that neck and back pain mainly come from sitting incorrectly, working in front of a computer for a long time or the habit of using the phone too much.
However, another familiar factor that is often overlooked, despite being widely warned about the level of health hazards, is smoking.
According to Dr. Jay Jagannathan, a neurosurgist at the Michigan Neurosurgery Institute (USA), smoking not only increases the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease but also directly affects the structure and function of the spine.
Mr. Jagannathan pointed out 5 main mechanisms why smokers are more susceptible to neck and back pain.
First of all, it reduces blood flow. Nicotine in cigarettes causes blood vessel constriction, reducing blood, oxygen and nutrients to the brain, spinal cord and discs.
When the nutrients are depleted, the discs are quickly damaged, lose elasticity and degrad early.
Second, smoking accelerates disc degeneration. The cushion acts as a shock-reducing cushion between the vertebrae.
When damaged, the ability to distribute force and absorb pressure is reduced, causing ligaments and joints behind the spine to suffer greater load. As a result, neck and back pain can easily occur even with light exercise or daily activities.
The third factor is chronic inflammation. According to Dr. Jay, smoking triggers an inflammatory reaction in the body, increasing sensitivity to pain and prolonging the recovery time of damaged tissue. Inflammation also weakens the body's inherent self-healing ability.
In addition, smoking also causes prolonged muscle tension. Nicotine affects the nervous and circulatory systems, making muscles more susceptible to stiffness.
This explains why many people who smoke regularly feel a tight, tired neck and back.
Finally, smoking slows down recovery from surgery. Studies and clinical trials show that smokers have a lower rate of bone marrow, lower treatment outcomes and a higher risk of having to have surgery than non-smokers.
Dr. Jay Jagannathan emphasizes that quitting smoking not only helps reduce the risk of serious diseases but also significantly improves spinal health.
Quitting smoking, combined with reasonable exercise and adjusting your posture can help reduce neck pain, back pain and improve the quality of life in the long term.
(The article is for reference only, not a replacement for professional advice. Always consult a doctor or medical professional if you have any questions).
