Sadly, back pain is all too common among Americans. However, it is good to know that there are many ways to prevent, treat and protect your back from injury.
Preventing Back Pain
Whether it is low back pain from overwork, pain from a slipped disc or pinched nerve or a sore neck and shoulders from stress, there are ways to prevent the suffering and protect your back from injury. Here are some of the most important ways that you can prevent yourself from experiencing back pain.
Maintain a Healthy Weight and Lifestyle
Being caught in the vicious cycle of inactivity, bad eating habits and weight gain puts you at a much higher risk of experiencing back pain for many reasons. Both poor nutrition and inactivity weaken the muscles which support your spine. This can make fertile ground for bulging discs and other spinal injuries. If you carry extra weight, especially in the midsection, that puts even more pressure on your back. Every step you take to improve your diet and activity level is a step towards good spinal health.
Stop Smoking
You probably know that smoking is bad for your lungs, but did you know that it is also bad for your back? Smoking tobacco products weakens your back because it restricts blood flow, reduces calcium absorption and slows new bone growth. If you smoke and are finding it challenging to quit, consult your family doctor for help.
Work on Your Posture
How well you maintain your good posture is ultimately a habit. If you have a hard time with posture, it is something that you should work on. There are lots of exercises that you can use to help you. If you need help with this, your chiropractor can teach you corrective exercises that will improve your posture and protect your back from injury.
Protect Your Back From Injury
Many daily activities can put your back at risk. If you are careful and perform activities correctly and develop positive habits, it will go a long way towards keeping your back from being injured.
Stretch
It is important to stretch, not just before particularly physical activities, but everyday. Stretching promotes flexibility and better blood flow. It also prevents tight muscles which are known to put extra pressure on your spine. If you aren’t sure what kind of stretches will help you, talk to your chiropractor and they can help advise you.
Sit and Lift Correctly
It is best if you do not sit for extended periods of time, but for many people that is not possible. If you must sit for extended periods due to work or travel, take every opportunity that you have to get up and walk around, even if you can only walk in place. It will still help to improve your blood flow and help protect your back from injury. When you are sitting make sure that you have good posture, try to maintain your knees and hips at a right angle and consider using a back support for your lower back to prevent back injury.
When you lift, remember to bend your knees and use the strength in your legs to rise, not your back. If you must lift a heavy object, get help. It is far better to ask for help than it is to end up with an injury to your back.
Limit Activities that Put Stress On Your Back To Protect Your Back From Injury
There are certain activities that put stress on your back. If you need to perform an activity that may stress your back such as vacuuming, shovelling, raking or other activities that cause you to bend or stoop repeatedly, try to limit it to intervals of less than 15 minutes.
If you regularly work standing at a counter (doing dishes, running a cash register, cooking, etc.) and the counter is not the correct height for you, consider using a stool or pulling up an appropriately sized chair to alleviate stress on your back.
Treating Back Pain
One of the best ways to treat back pain is with regular chiropractic care. Chiropractic care is safe and effective for many types of musculoskeletal pain. It is also noninvasive and completely drug free. If you want to explore how a chiropractor can help you, visit North Atlanta Chiropractic Center online and schedule a free consultation.
When Should You Visit a Chiropractor?