Millions of Americans suffer from back pain at some point in their lives, with most folks thinking it is just inevitable. It’s not!
There are several precautionary measures you can take to improve your back health and make for a much more comfortable future.
Ways to Prevent Back Pain
Did you know that your everyday habits could be the difference between being pain-free or not? Here are five important things you can change to take care of your back and promote a healthy spine to prevent back pain:
1. How you sit
Most people know that sitting is worse than standing but find themselves sitting for a majority of the day. If you do sit a lot during the day, sit with good posture. Be sure your knees are slightly higher than your hips, your feet touch the ground, and you support your arms with armrests. Also, try to get up and walk around at least every hour throughout the day.
2. Your exercise routine
A sedentary lifestyle can worsen back pain, so it’s important to stay active and exercise regularly. Strengthening your core is very important for spine health. Your core muscles include both your abdomen and back muscles, so be sure to find a few core strengthening exercises that don’t aggravate your back, and do them consistently.
3. Your sleep habits
Your mattress and pillow can have a big impact on your back health, and if you don’t have the proper support overnight, it can worsen back pain. Choose a mattress and pillow based on your sleep position, but keep in mind that sleeping on your back or pillow is optimal for your back.
4. Your eating and drinking habits
By adjusting your diet to include healthier foods and more means of hydration, you’ll be able to maintain a healthy weight, helping your back in the process. In addition, your spine will become healthier due to water intake, allowing the discs in your spine to rehydrate as needed.
5. Your treatment
The success of your back treatment can change over time, so it’s important to work with your doctor to see what treatment is best for you. Medications can affect everyone differently, so if your current medication isn’t working or has side effects that aren’t manageable, talk with your doctor. You may also want to try other less invasive treatments, like injections or physical therapy, before discussing surgical options.
Dealing with Back Pain
If you’ve tried improving your lifestyle and habits without success, contact your local Keith Clinic to find a treatment that will help ease your back pain. One of our trained doctors will help develop a plan to get you back on track soon!