There are many people who deal with chronic neck or back pain on a daily basis, but they still need to work. You may be suffering, but the bills will not stop because of it. Undergoing treatment for back or neck pain is recommended for anyone experiencing pain. Treatments for spine pain include medication, chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, acupuncture and interventional procedures, both minimally invasive and fully surgical.
Working with a chronic condition that is exasperated by your profession can be less than helpful. How long will it take before the initial cause of your back or neck injury, strain, or chronic condition lands you back in your doctor's office seeking additional treatment?
It may be that you are working in a career that sees higher amounts of work related back and neck injuries or strain. With this in mind, what are the best careers for individuals suffering from back pain?
Let's look at some career options that are often lower-impact and less strenuous on the back and neck.
A Surprising list of Some of the Best Careers for Chronic Pain
Photographer The beauty of self-employed photography is that the schedule and work environment are both under your control. You can choose to take photos in your studio, on location, or both and you can decide your own schedule. If you want to work under a photography company, photography is still a great choice since it is not usually a back-heavy profession and it offers opportunities for both inactive and active periods throughout the day.
Content Writer Websites, bloggers, media companies, press relation companies and social media websites are often in need of writers that can provide them content for items like posts, newsletters, and website pages. The great perk is that these jobs can often been done from your home. There are even websites that hire freelancers where you can offer to write content for various companies if you don't want to stick to just one subject. If you like writing and deciding your own hours, content writing may be a good option for you. Take precautions with too much sitting in this profession though. Take frequent breaks and perform routine stretches to keep your spine from being in one position for too long of a time.
Software Developer You would think that the job of developing software would be filled with long days and nights sitting at a desk and pounding away at a keyboard. While this may be true in some operations, many companies are taking progressive steps forward and providing much needed comfort for their employees. Larger companies have areas throughout the office where the employees can sit in comfy beanbag chairs while they pour their creative souls out. Newer adjustable desks allow you to choose whether you wish to either sit or stand as you attack your work load. Another great benefit is that many of these more progressive companies also either provide a membership to a local gym, or have an onsite gym for their employees use and encourage mixing activity with work day inactivity.
Quality inspector/compliance officer When regulations are high and the penalties can be a major setback, companies hire individuals to make sure their teams are compliant. The healthcare industry, food industry, and chemical industry are examples. This jobs offer a balance of sitting and walking.
Archaeology Volunteer If you like the outdoors and exploration, then you may enjoy archaeological fieldwork. Often you do not necessarily need to have a degree in archeology to participate in planned 'digs'. These projects, led by professionals, often need help. Some opportunities may be paid and some may be volunteer work. Archeological digs provide an unhurried and less-strenuous environment than many other outdoor jobs.
Market research analyst When marketing and advertising companies take on new clients or are re-vamping their marketing strategy for a current customer, some research must me be done on the current trends for that particular customer and their client base. In today's world, a whole lot can be done on the internet and using software that assist with that research.
Videographer Videographers require an eye for detail, the ability to know what is important to highlight in a video assignment and the equipment to support both the quality of your videos and any voice-over recordings a client may require. Videographers also need editing software and the ability to add logos, branding and content to a video. If this is right up your ally, you may enjoy being a videographer for businesses in need of highlighting their product or service. This is another job that involves both active and sitting time, but generally should not cause excessive strain on the spine.
Administrative Assistant There are many pages and articles floating around that state working at a desk job can lead to chronic lower back and neck pain. While it is true that if you sit at your desk all day without taking the proper precautions, you may be at a higher chance for chronic pain. Making use of ergonomic furniture, taking stretching breaks, as well as learning how to work safely in the office makes this career one of the top choices for back and neck pain sufferers.
Self Employed This is a great career for someone suffering from back or neck pain. Not only do you set your own hours, you take breaks when you need to! You are completely responsible for your own environment, meaning you have the choice of setting it up to your comfort and standards. With ergonomic furniture, taking plenty of stretching breaks, and working when you feel well enough, pain will not plague your daily duties.
Other back friendly careers you may have not thought of:
Social media manager Project manager Florist Professional organizer Personal secretary Teacher's assistant Botanist Wedding Planner Office manager Home design consultant Job recruiter
Since any job can unexpectedly present a problem for the neck or back, we encourage preventive and safety measures be in place at all times. In addition, for the health of your spine, avoid sitting for prolonged periods of time or taking on weight bearing projects or tasks that may strain the spine. Take breaks often to stretch and relieve your back or neck from a strained or unrealized position. Exercise regularly. If you feel excessive neck or back pain, examine what is making it hurt more and try to stop repeating that particular position or activity. Visit with a doctor for the best recommendations for the symptoms you are experiencing.
