Back pain affects over half of working Americans every year, according to the American Chiropractic Association. Causes of back pain are numerous, but many fit within a few simple categories.
While some believe most people who suffer from it are those with arthritis or serious injuries, this is not the case at all.
Back pain often comes from doing something simple like bending over to pick something off the floor, having poor posture, or twisting too quickly. Here are five tips to keep your spine safe and your back pain-free:
1. Watch your diet and exercise
It sounds so simple, but many people fail to realize that diet can be the best weapon against back pain. Carrying excess body weight puts large amounts of stress on the spine, so burning that fat isn’t just for looks: it can prevent and eliminate your back pain, too! Exercising also helps to strengthen the muscles around the spine, making it less susceptible to pain and injury.
2. Movement is key
Society has gradually declined into a sedentary state, due to incredible advancements in technology and innovation. However, this has had a tremendous negative effect on health in general and needs to be corrected. Back pain is common among those who sit at their desks all day with poor posture, so be sure to take a walk and stretch every once in a while. (Yet another very simple way to prevent back pain: and it works!)
3. Lift properly
While it is possible to injure your back doing practically anything, lifting creates a lot of stress on the back so doing so improperly can produce horrible pain. Be sure to lift with the knees, not the back. By simply bending at the knees when lifting, stress on the spine can be reduced by as much as 90% or more!
4. You don’t have to be awake!
Even while you’re asleep you can take action to treat your back pain. If you sleep on your back, try putting a pillow beneath your knees for lower-back support. If you sleep on your side, this method can work too, by keeping your spine straight.
5. See your Chiropractor regularly
If the above steps just don’t seem to work, the best treatment for back pain is to see a Chiropractor. By making regular visits, you will find yourself reaching for pain medication less often, and you can learn some valuable tips about your back specifically, which most people would never know without a professional.
These factors make seeing a Chiropractor worth it if all else fails.
Implementing these small, simple changes into your daily life will give you long-lasting pain-relief, without the use of harmful and expensive medications. So what are you waiting for?
Start sitting up straight, exercising a bit more, placing a pillow between your legs while you sleep, and maybe even seeing a Chiropractor. You’ll be glad you did.
