Lowering Your Risk of Lower Back Pain

According to the American Chiropractic Association, at any given time 31 million Americans are experiencing lower back pain. Lower back pain is the greatest cause of disability around the entire world and is one of the most common reasons for missed work. More than $50 billion is spent on back pain just in the United States, and that’s just for the costs that are easy to identify. Clearly, lower back pain is a major problem around the globe, so what can you do to lower your risks?

Protecting Your Lower Back

When it comes to your health, the best solution is prevention; this is doubly true in the case of lower back pain. It’s easier and much less expensive to prevent lower back pain than it is to treat it. Here are a few simple ways that you can take control of your back health:

• Lift with your legs. Whenever you have to move anything heavy, make sure to get close to it and to lift with your legs instead of your back.
• Exercise regularly. Back and abdominal exercises will keep your muscles flexible and reduce the risk of back injury.
• Avoid excess weight. Being overweight puts a tremendous strain on your back. Staying within a few pounds of your ideal weight will protect your back from strain.
• Pay attention to ergonomics at work. If you spend a lot of time sitting in front of your desk, you should make sure that your workstation is situated to be spine-friendly.
• Take it easy. Stress can aggravate the body and cause back pain to feel even worse than it already does.
• Practice good posture. Walk with your shoulders back and sit or stand with your spine in a neutral ‘S’ shape.
• Practice good sleeping posture. Rest on your side and invest in the best mattress of medium firmness that you can afford.
• Stretch before you exercise or perform other physical activities. If you’re going to be moving your body, it needs to be stretched.
• High heels may look pretty, but they’re horrible for your back. Wear comfortable shoes, or at least avoid high heels during your commute to work and back home.
• Quit smoking. Smoking causes a deprivation of oxygen and nutrients to the spine and its tissues.

If you’re struggling with lower back pain, your chiropractic team can help. Many patients report feeling better immediately after their first chiropractic visit. Instead of suffering or turning to pain medication, why not call your chiropractor and begin treatment that actually fixes the problem, instead of masking the symptoms? Talk to your chiropractic team about your back today and get ready to kiss that lower back pain goodbye.

Always consult your chiropractor or primary care physician for all your health related advice.

Story credit, Photo credit: 9/52 pain by Samantha Evans Photography. Used under a Creative Commons license.