Back Away From Your Back Pain

Can I Do Anything to Prevent My Back Pain?

Here are some great ways to minimize pain so you can do the things you enjoy:

  1. Proper posture.
    • Relieve stress on your spine by keeping your back in a neutral position especially when using sitting – so no slouching.
    • Standing and sitting up straight will keep the back in its natural alignment. If you have a desk job, stand and stretch every 20 minutes to prevent slouching.
    • Exercises to strengthen the back muscles will help your posture.
    • Read our ergonomic tips on the importance of proper posture and office setup.
  2. Lifting techniques.
    • Lifting with your legs instead of your back not only helps your lower back but your legs as well. An unhealthy back can cause pain to radiate to the legs.
    • Proper form saves your spine from undue stress. Avoid carrying heavy objects on one side of the body. This is a recipe for pain.
  3. Exercise.
    • Maintain a healthy weight. Mechanical stress from being overweight damages the spine and causes pain in the back and legs. Learn how to easily lose weight in our weight loss blog.
    • Warm up and stretch before exercising to promote flexibility, enhance blood flow, and reduce the risk of injuries.
    • Core exercises such as Pilates and planks are crucial to forming a protective ring around your spine.
    • Strengthen your lower back and legs through exercise. Enhance your posture, balance, and bones with weight resistance exercises. Don’t forget, to talk to your physician before starting an exercise program.
  4. Home remedies.
    • People can spend over 25 years of their lives in bed. The right pillow and the right mattress will make a difference. Consider switching to a firm mattress.
    • Ask your physician if you can take over-the-counter medications such as Aleve or ibuprofen as it can help with inflammation and pain.
    • Certain fruits have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. We’ve combined a few of these in a refreshing smoothie recipe!
    • Believe it or not, smoking worsens pain. Read our smoking blog for more information and tips to quit.

We’d love to know if these tips help you. If you have any tips or suggestions of your own, use the comment box below. We are eager to hear them!