5 Tips for Preventing Back Pain

You know how aggravating backaches can be. You may miss work and be unable to participate in enjoyable activities if you have back pain. It may impact your mood and keep you awake during the night. And one of the most frequent causes of doctor visits is back discomfort. One of the most frequent medical conditions is back pain. It can feel either dull and persistent or sudden and acute. It can sometimes emerge suddenly as a result of an accident, a fall, or carrying too many heavy objects. Other times, it may develop gradually due to age-related degenerative changes to the spine.

For those who frequently have back pain. Here are a few simple, yet practical tips for healthy habits and routines that promote spine health and can help people avoid back pain altogether.

Maintain Good Posture

Be mindful of your posture and motions at all times. When standing or sitting, and also avoid slouching. Even when performing daily tasks like doing the dishes or doing chores, you should pay attention to how you move. Same thing when you are working, to avoid tilting your chin or head up while working at your computer, place the screen at your eye level. When working or texting people we lean over our computer or phone without realizing the harm to our backs and the potential discomfort they may be causing. Ensure to use an ergonomically comfortable workstation both at your workspace and at home, and take a rest from the long periods of using your gadgets and stretch to relieve the discomfort you are feeling.

Daily Exercise

Get up and move around—this is one of the most essential parts you can do to prevent back pain. Why can physical activity actually prevent back pain? According to some professional chiropractors, muscles are meant to move. If you’re out of shape, you’re more likely to cause your back and experience pain when you perform even the smallest movements, like picking up heavy objects or doing chores. Exercise also helps you maintain a healthy weight, which reduces the likelihood of developing back discomfort. Being overweight, especially around the stomach, can create excessive strain on your back.

Eating Right

Maintaining healthy eating habits will help you keep your weight in check and prevent you from overworking your body. If you keep up decent eating habits, you won’t only keep up a healthy weight but also won’t put extra strain on your back or body. Back problems could result from the constant consumption of fast food or food that is overly spicy. On the other hand, your digestive system will stay in good shape if you consume a more balanced diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables, high protein, dairy, and whole grains. Since your inside and outside are linked together, your spine will be healthy if your intestines are operating and functioning properly since some patients complain of having back pain since they are also having digestive problems.

Sleep Sideways

You shouldn’t lay flat on your back while you sleep. Sleeping on your side is the most comfortable position. In order to relieve some of the pressure on your back you can try to sleep on your stomach and place a pillow under your lower abdomen, but avoid sleeping on your stomach because it puts a lot of strain on your back. Highly essential is to use a firm mattress and a head pillow to have the comfort and support you’ll be needing while sleeping. Getting an adequate amount of sleep in order to have sustainable good health. 

Quit Smoking

Most individuals are unaware that smoking can also contribute to chronic back pain. Smoking is well known to increase your risk for heart disease and cancer, including lung and colon cancer. Smoking can aggravate pre-existing back discomfort, according to research. Smoking may cause blood vessels to narrow, however, the exact mechanism through which it impacts back pain is unclear. Because the spine receives less oxygen and nutrients due to narrowed blood arteries, it is more vulnerable to damage and heals more slowly.

Key Takeaway

Simple improvements to your lifestyle can lower your risk of developing back pain. But if you do feel back pain, you should pay attention to it. It can be a symptom of something more serious. Some back pains can be treated through chiropractic care, but discuss this with your doctor first in order to know if it can help improve the back pain you are experiencing, as well as what you should be doing to determine and treat the underlying reason.