Your body is your most precious asset. You have to make sure that every part of your body is properly taken care of.
Your back is one part of your body that is most susceptible to injury. There are around 2 million back injuries in the United States every year and a staggering 80% of Americans are expected to have a back injury at some point in their lives. Even if you don’t have an injury, you can still have other back issues due to poor posture and other issues.
You need to take the right steps to prevent back pain and other issues. You will need to keep your back as strong as possible to minimize these concerns.
Modern life can wreak havoc on our backs, so it’s no wonder that most adults will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. While you can see a chiropractor for herniated disc problems and other injuries, prevention is key to good back health. But it can be hard to know exactly what will benefit our spines when nothing seems to do the trick. These simple tips will help you to keep your back in better shape, helping you to avoid pain for longer.
Regular exercise
One of the most important parts of keeping your back happy and healthy is exercise. It doesn’t really matter what kind of exercise you do as long as your body is moving.
Even walking can be incredibly beneficial for your back if you sit in an office chair for most of the day. A long stroll can often ease small amounts of discomfort you might be having after the working day. Another type of exercise that is great for back pain is yoga. There are lots of exercises that can help you to strengthen and stretch the back in particular. Remember, if you are experiencing pain, make sure you check with a doctor or your instructor before you begin a new exercise routine.
Be aware of posture
Poor posture is one of the leading causes of backache. Whether you’re sitting or standing, try to keep your back and neck straight. In offices, your employer has a duty to provide you with a setup that keeps your back supported all day. This can involve having an ergonomic chair, back support, footrest and adjustable computer equipment. If you’ve been suffering while at work, make sure you let your employer know so that they can get you a desk assessment as soon as possible.
Watch out for heavy objects
It’s all too easy to strain your back when lifting something heavy. If you know a piece of furniture is too heavy for you to lift comfortably, avoid it if at all possible. However, if you have to lift heavy objects at work, make sure you’ve been trained on how to properly lift things. Use equipment to lift anything that you can’t and ask your employer for any extra assistance that you might need.
Seek medical help
If you’ve been having lingering back pain or severe pain, don’t ignore it. It can be tempting to power through or use home remedies, again and again, to make it better. But persistent back pain can be the sign of a deeper issue or injury. You could even go to see a physio privately who may be able to advise you on exercises you can do to relieve the pain. Over time, back problems can cause pain in other parts of your body when nerves become trapped in your spine. So if you’re having radiating pain in your arm or leg it’s definitely time to get your back checked out by a professional.