Save Your Back From the Bleachers
By Rachel Carver
If you are a parent, the start of the school year and fall events is an exciting time. You want to watch your children have fun at their football and soccer games. But perhaps you are not looking forward to hours of sitting on uncomfortable bleachers that can lead to back pain.
Most bleachers are made out of plastic or metal and were not designed with comfort in mind. They do not provide back support, and a crowded game does not give you much room to move around.
Your tendency might be to rest your elbows on your knees. However, this unnatural position puts more stress on your spine that causes back pain.
Read on for some tips on how to keep back pain away while sitting on uncomfortable bleachers.
Practice Good Posture
Thinking about your posture often can improve spine health and decrease back pain. Maintain the natural curves in your back while seated by following these steps:
- Sit with your back straight and shoulders back
- Avoid straining one hip by balancing your weight on both sides of your body
- Keep your knees bent 90 degrees and even with your hips
- Make sure your feet are always flat on the floor
- Support your body with your abdominal muscles when you do not have a back rest
- Move frequently, switching positions at least once every 30 minutes
Invest in a Stadium Seat
Fortunately, a variety of stadium seats now exist to make our time on the bleachers less painful. Look for a stadium seat that has plenty of cushioning from the hard bleachers. If you can, open the stadium seat up and try it out before you buy it. Stadium seats come in many different sizes and shapes.
Visit the Chiropractor
Whether your back pain was caused by the bleachers or by something else, don't delay treatment. Accidentally sitting in an unnatural position can strain muscles, causing them to fail. This leads to a joint dysfunction, which places pressure on a nerve and causes pain.
A chiropractor's Gentle spinal manipulation can restore the injured joint to its proper position. This natural approach relieves nerve pressure, keeping you out of pain. You will be able to comfortably watch your child's sporting event.
Save your back from the bleachers. Head to The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you for some pain relief. The Joint team can also recommend exercises to strengthen your back and core, which can decrease the likelihood of injuring your back. The Joint's affordable pricing and walk-in visits also make care accessible to everyone.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Surprise, Ariz.