Take These Steps to Beat Back Pain
By Paul Rothbart
One of the most common aches that people suffer from is back pain. The back supports the body in everything it does, even just sitting or lying down. The spine is complex and contains the spinal cord. It can cause pain, numbness, and discomfort in just about any part of the body. Back pain often occurs due to circumstances that are within the control of the sufferer. Here are steps you can take to reduce your risk of back pain.
Watch Your Posture
One of the worst things you can do to your back is something that many people do constantly and that is practice poor posture. When you slouch while standing or sit slumped at your desk while working on a computer for hours, you are doing your spine a disservice. These positions put an unnatural curve in the spine that can compress discs or cause subluxation. These problems can cause pain in the back as well as in the neck or extremities and even headaches. Sit and stand up straight, keeping your entire spine in proper alignment. This includes the neck, so avoid tilting your head down to look at smartphones and other devices.
Get Enough Exercise
Movement is one of the best ways to combat back pain. Muscles and joints are not designed to be stationary. Remaining sedentary causes them to tighten up and muscles will atrophy. The spine can also tighten and will get less support from weaker muscles. Many people who work at a desk do so for hours at a time without getting up and moving. Get at least 30 minutes of exercise 4-5 times a week. It's also important to get up from your desk every hour or so and move around a bit. Walk to the coffee machine or check with co-workers. This is a great way to prevent back pain.
See a Chiropractor
Another great weapon in the battle against back pain is the chiropractor. Examinations locate any subluxations, compressed discs, or other problems. The chiropractor can then fix these with a series of adjustments. This can ease the pain as well as help prevent it from coming back. Regular chiropractic treatments can help in your own efforts to avoid a hurting back, making your life a bit easier and certainly more enjoyable.
Back pain is no fun, yet many suffer from it. By taking the proper steps, you can significantly reduce your chances of back pain. Consider a visit to The Joint Chiropractic. You don't need an appointment. Chiropractic care may be the icing on the cake for effectively taking care of your back.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Tempe, Ariz.