Why Back Pain & Burnout Are Getting Worse in Malaysia — And What’s Causing It?

TheLorry Reveals the Real Reasons Most People Never Thought About

Many people are unaware — or deliberately ignore — how serious back pain and burnout have become among Malaysians today. Maybe it’s because we’re so used to body aches, chronic fatigue or daily stress that we think it’s normal. But… is it really normal, or are we ignoring early signs of a much bigger health issue?

Why do so many people assume it’s a small matter? Because back pain doesn’t seem like a critical disease. Friends, parents, and many people always mention having back pain — and since we hear it all the time, we assume it’s normal. Burnout, on the other hand, is often labeled as “laziness” or “being too sensitive.” That’s the main challenge — when these symptoms are ignored, they can lead to long-term consequences.

In this article, TheLorry will break down the underlying causes and reveal how what seems “normal” can actually lead to major physical and mental consequences — especially when you try to handle everything yourself instead of using professional help like a moving service (lorry rental).

 Current Health Issues: Latest Statistics & Trends in Malaysia

by TheLorry  on May 21 2025

According to Public Health Malaysia, there are over 150 types of headaches, each with their own cause, symptom and treatment. And that’s just one category of stress-related symptoms.

We’re seeing more and more Malaysians — including students, professionals, and small business owners — showing signs of extreme fatigue, chronic back pain, sleep disruption, and emotional instability. These symptoms are often caused by inactive lifestyles, job stress, and unmanaged physical strain, such as lifting heavy objects or handling house-moving tasks alone.

Keywords like “why do I always have back pain”, “burnout symptoms”, and “how to relieve work stress” are now among the top searches in Malaysia’s health category — proving that this issue is gaining serious attention.

Back Pain, Stress & Burnout — Health Issues We Still Ignore

Have you ever felt completely drained just from tidying your home or lifting furniture during a move? Let’s pause for a second — many of us treat moving house like a normal task. But the truth is, relocating your home or office can be one of the most physically and mentally exhausting experiences of your life. It’s not just tiring for your body — it takes a toll on your mental health too.

Today, more Malaysians are becoming aware of the importance of health — not just by eating well or exercising, but by avoiding high-risk physical activities that often go unnoticed, such as moving furniture without help. Whether you’ve gone through it yourself or are planning a move, this article might change the way you think.

Back pain and overwhelming stress are no longer isolated issues. They are now so common that most people ignore them. In fact, burnout is also on the rise — symptoms like chronic fatigue, poor sleep, and emotional pressure are especially present when we try to balance mental and physical strain all at once.

Feeling constantly tired, sore, and overwhelmed? These are signs many of us miss.

In this article, we’ll also share a healthier, safer alternative — not as a sales pitch, but as an option that genuinely protects your well-being: using a moving service (lorry rental) with trained professionals to help you.

Moving house the healthy way isn’t just a convenience — it’s a necessity to prevent overloading your body and mind. Consider seeking professional support so you can focus on what really matters — not the pain that comes after.

What Happens When Burnout Is Left Unchecked?

Burnout that goes unchecked is more than just ordinary fatigue. It can lead to serious mental health problems such as depression, chronic anxiety, and in some cases, a complete loss of life motivation. When emotional and physical stress is left unmanaged, it can affect sleep quality, job performance, and relationships with family and those around you.

From a physical perspective, the body under constant stress will release the stress hormone cortisol excessively. Cortisol is the primary hormone produced by the adrenal glands to help regulate stress and maintain internal balance. While it plays an important role in short-term emergency situations, prolonged exposure to high cortisol levels can cause serious health complications.

It can disrupt your immune system, cause digestive issues, increase blood pressure, affect sleep cycles, and trigger persistent headaches. Chronically high cortisol levels are also linked to heart disease and metabolic disorders.

What Is Cortisol?
Based on an article by Cleveland Clinic, Cortisol is the body’s main stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands when you’re under pressure. It helps regulate blood pressure, glucose metabolism, immune function, inflammatory response, insulin release, and the sleep-wake cycle. Cortisol boosts energy so you can respond to stress and helps return the body to a balanced state afterward. It also helps the body manage how it uses carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Normally, cortisol levels are higher in the morning and gradually decrease throughout the day. This hormone also works with parts of the brain to manage mood, motivation, and fear.

 

Why Is Too Much Cortisol Dangerous?
The hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain monitor cortisol levels in the blood. If the level is too low, the brain sends signals to increase hormone production. The adrenal glands respond accordingly. However, chronic stress causes cortisol to remain elevated, and that’s when problems start.

While a small increase in cortisol can offer benefits such as a temporary energy boost or enhanced alertness, too much cortisol for too long can cause:

• High blood pressure
• Insomnia or poor sleep
• Anxiety and depression
• Weight gain, particularly around the midsection
• Weakened immune system
• Increased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes

In some cases, excessive cortisol levels may lead to Cushing’s Syndrome, a condition that includes symptoms like red face, muscle weakness, increased thirst, frequent urination, mood swings, fat accumulation in the abdomen and face, osteoporosis, purple stretch marks, low libido, and irregular or missed menstrual cycles.

The longer your cortisol remains elevated, the more damage it can do — physically and mentally.

Many individuals experiencing burnout also suffer from loss of focus and memory, making them more prone to mistakes — including when lifting heavy objects or handling physically demanding tasks. This risk increases when the body is tired and muscles are unprepared for heavy loads, leading to serious injuries like slipped discs or spinal degeneration.

Slipped disc is a condition where the inner part of the spinal disc pushes out and presses against nearby nerves. It typically worsens with age, especially after 40, and often begins with symptoms like numbness, tingling, or pain in the back and legs. If left untreated, the pain may spread along the nerves down to the soles of the feet, severely affecting daily movement.

That’s why it’s so important to recognize the early signs of burnout and physical overstrain — and take preventive steps before it leads to irreversible health complications.

The Reality of Moving on Your Own: More Stress Than You Think

Many people assume they can save money by handling house or office moves on their own. Sure, it may seem cheaper — everyone is trying to save these days. But let’s think again — have you ever really considered the risks involved in doing all this without professional help?

The risks of injury, mental stress, and wasted time are far greater than most realize. Here are some of the most common consequences:

• Back pain caused by lifting heavy items without training
• Stress due to having to plan everything and do all the physical labour
• Lost time that could have been used for more important things

Take students, for example — they’re often under tremendous pressure when moving during exam periods or class time. Imagine needing to stay focused on studies while also packing, sourcing boxes, and hauling everything alone. You could burn out instantly.

As for families, the responsibilities are multiplied — managing kids, running a household, and moving at the same time. Many young parents don’t realize that their bodies are already tired, and overexerting themselves can have a real impact on their health.

Small business owners or SMEs? They’re constantly overwhelmed. Their main focus is on customers and daily business operations — there’s no time to worry about trucks, inventory, or logistics. In the end, they’re forced to postpone tasks or do them halfway — which can affect business reputation and operations.

When everything has to be done at once — lifting items, coordinating timing, managing logistics — it often becomes a direct cause of burnout.

Interestingly, according to Kamini Muniandy in her article “Working Two Jobs In Malaysia Sounds Smart But Can It Get You Fired?” (Says.com), more Malaysians are now taking on side hustles due to rising living costs. But in their pursuit of extra income, many neglect both their physical and mental health.

Burnout doesn’t only come from a single full-time job — it can also result from overloading your schedule, such as juggling daytime work with freelance jobs at night. Kamini advises that anyone working side jobs should be more mindful of their workload, check employment contracts, protect their rest time, and strive for work-life balance.

This shows that burnout is not limited to office workers — it also affects lifestyle as a whole, especially when managing home responsibilities, moving houses, or trying to do everything yourself without assistance.

Burnout is rising fast among Malaysians — and it’s frequently caused by overwhelming work pressure, continuous physical strain, and a lack of rest. Constant fatigue, sleep issues, and irritability might not be “normal” — they could be warning signs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Burnout & Health During a Move

• What are the early signs of burnout that most people overlook?
  Ongoing fatigue, difficulty sleeping, irritability, and a sense of hopelessness are key signs. Many think these are just part of normal life, but if left unaddressed, they can have long-term consequences for both mental and physical health.
• Can moving house on your own cause back pain?
  Yes. Lifting heavy items without proper technique puts pressure on your spine and muscles, increasing the risk of serious injuries. Using a professional moving service (lorry rental) can prevent these risks entirely.
• Who is most at risk of experiencing burnout while moving?
  High-risk groups include students, parents, individuals working two jobs (side hustles), and small business owners who attempt to manage their entire move alone without help from services like a (lorry rental).
• What’s the link between side jobs and burnout?
  People with side hustles often don’t get enough rest and must divide their energy among multiple commitments. This accelerates fatigue and stress. When these individuals take on demanding tasks like moving house, the risk of burnout multiplies — especially without proper support from a (lorry rental) service.

Want to Move Without Stress & Back Pain? Choose a Professional lorry rental Service

When it comes to your health, prevention is always better than cure. So why take the risk of stress, back pain, or burnout — when you can hand over your move or logistics needs to the professionals?

TheLorry is a proudly local company offering professional lorry rental services, covering:

• House & Office Moving

Whether you’re moving out of an apartment, condo, or landed property, TheLorry offers curated House Moving Packages (lorry rental) tailored to your needs.

What’s Included:

• Vehicle + Professional Driver
• Trained Manpower for Loading & Unloading
• Optional Wrapping & Dismantling Services
• Transparent & Fixed Rates
• Easy Online Booking

You don’t have to lift a thing — we do the heavy work, so you don’t strain your back or waste time.

• On-Demand Delivery

Need something delivered urgently? Our on-demand delivery (lorry rental) service is perfect for homes, offices, and even retail stores.

Why People Choose It:

• Fast & Secure
• Transparent Rates
• A Wide Range of Vehicles
• Trusted by Over 50,000 Families & Growing SMEs

Reliable, flexible, and quick — so you don’t have to stress about same-day logistics ever again.

• Disposal

Need to get rid of old furniture or unwanted items? Our disposal service (lorry rental) ensures proper handling and responsible discarding.

No more worrying about how to lift or where to dump — we handle it for you, cleanly and legally. 

Transport and Goods Limitation
There are a number of prohibitions for the use of TheLorry services. The following cases are specifically prohibited:

1. Living things
   No Carriage of any Living things such as Animal and Human in cargo compartment for any distance or reason ever.
2. Hazardous Materials
   No Hazardous Materials to be carried but are not limited to: explosives, gases, flammable liquids, flammable solids, poisonous or infectious substances, radioactive material, corrosives.
3. Explosive Materials
   No firearms, ammunition or other explosive materials.
4. Illegal goods.
   Goods that are illegal to sell or to buy, and as well as goods purchased or sold in a way that is illegal.

• Cross-Border Moving

Planning to move across borders? We’ve got the solution. Our cross-border lorry rental service makes relocation between Malaysia and Singapore seamless — we handle everything so you can relocate stress-free.

With over 14,000 Google Reviews and an impressive 4.7-star rating in 2025, TheLorry has helped thousands of customers move faster, safer, and stress-free.

✅ No need to lift heavy items
✅ Save your time & energy
✅ Affordable packages
✅ Ideal for individuals, families & SMEs

Prioritize your health. Reduce the burden. Leave it to TheLorry — your trusted, affordable, and satisfying lorry rental solution.

Perfect for Individuals, Families & SMEs

Whether you’re a student moving into a new rental unit, a young family with small children, or a small business owner needing to deliver stock or relocate an office — TheLorry is the ideal solution for everyone.

We understand that every customer group has different needs — that’s why we offer flexible lorry rental services that can be customized.

For SMEs busy with daily operations, we help reduce the logistics burden so they can focus on serving their customers. For individuals and families, we ensure a smooth, stress-free relocation process — so you can move with peace of mind and total safety.

With TheLorry’s lorry rental service, you don’t have to worry about energy, time, or the risk of injury — we handle everything professionally.

Looking for the most trusted lorry rental in Malaysia?
✅ Choose TheLorry — the simple, affordable, and satisfying choice!

 

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