It seems as though almost everyone suffers from lower back pain at some point in his or her life. What’s worse is that many people suffer from chronic lower back pain. With the various pain reliever commercials and ads all around us, it may seem easier to give in and take medication. However, this does not treat the problem – only the symptom. To relieve the pain, you must treat the cause not the resulting symptom (which is the pain). The pain we feel acts as a little alarm alerting us to the fact that something is definitely wrong.
Some causes of lower back pain include muscle strains or ligament sprains (usually resulting from lifting a heavy object, sudden movement, etc.), sports injuries, accidents, pregnancy, obesity, poor posture, arthritis, and even stress. With so many factors that can be the source of back pain, it’s no wonder so many people are afflicted with this type of pain.
To help both alleviate and avoid back pain, here are a few tips (keep in mind, the tips may or may not work for every individual case – it will depend on the cause of each person’s pain)…
- Practice good posture (i.e. ears, shoulders, hips in alignment while sitting)
- Make every effort to maintain a healthy weight as extra weight can put pressure on the joints, ligaments, muscles, and nerves in your back
- Remember to stay active – and always stretch before and after exercising
- When lifting/moving heavy objects, lift with your knees and keep the object close to you (avoid twisting or making “jerky” movements)
- Wear low-heeled shoes
- Sleep on a mattress that minimizes the curving of your spine
- If you have a job where you must sit or stand for extended periods of time, be sure to try to move around and change positions as frequently as possible
These tips are just a few of the ways in which you can help prevent lower back pain. And of course, a visit to the chiropractor is always a wise addition to the effective treatment of the cause of your back pain. Through proper adjustments, nutrition and exercise counseling, we’ll do whatever we can to help you finally get rid of the pain in your back!
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The Oaks Chiropractic 