Tips to Help You Deal with Back Pain
By Sara Butler
Sometimes you feel a strange twinge in your back when you sit down or maybe a sudden, sharp pain when bending over. Heck, sometimes your back can hurt so bad you double over in pain. Yeah, nearly everyone has been there, but it doesn't have to be a place you visit often. The chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic have put together these tips to help you avoid back pain and keep your back healthy.
Exercise
Yes, something as simple (or as complicated?) as exercise can make a big difference in the health of your back. Exercise keeps your entire body healthy and strong, including your heart, but it also helps to build strength in the muscles that help to support your back, such as your abdominal muscles. Aim for 20 to 30 minutes per day of moderate exercise.
Lift Carefully
Lifting things may not seem as if it's a big deal, but you can really injure your back if you're not careful! It's important to use proper technique when lifting things, meaning you bend at your knees and use the power of your legs and hips to lift. You should never bend at the waist and let your back do the heavy lifting. Even using improper lifting technique on something as small as 10 pounds can do damage to your back. Talk to your chiropractor about the right -- and the wrong -- way to lift.
Don't Be a Couch Potato
You shouldn't be an office chair potato, either. Your body was made to move, bend, and stretch. Sitting in one place for too long is tough on your whole body, but especially your back. That's why it's important to get up at least once per hour to move, stretch, and bend. Take just a few minutes to work out your kinks and reset, then get back to what you were doing. Your muscles will thank you later.
Get a Good Mattress
You spend nearly one-third of your life sleeping, so it stands to reason that the surface you do it on is pretty important to your body's health. Find a mattress that properly supports your body and make sure to have good pillows that help you to preserve the natural curves of your spine as you sleep, too.
For questions about back pain or anything else about your health, talk to the chiropractors at The Joint!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Austin, Tex.