Healthy Life, Healthy Back
Patients often ask: “What caused my problem and how do I keep it from returning?” The origin of a condition may be easily identified as an accident or injury. However, more than half the time, the exact cause is more difficult to pinpoint – because the problem was generated by a series of seemingly harmless events and circumstances (e.g. your posture; increased activity; mild repetitive strains; etc). In fact, most conditions are started by a “recipe” of irritants rather than any single “ingredient”. From a slight increase in your daily exercise routine coupled with less than ideal posture in an old office chair, to a few extra trips up and down the stairs and layering on the Spring chores, all add up to: “Ouch, my back…!”
When life’s physical demands exceed your body’s tolerance for those challenges, muscle, bone, joint and nerve problems begin. So, how do you prevent recurring injury?
Here are five tips to help keep the back strain away.
- Lift with your legs. The strongest among us are still at risk of back injury when we lift heavy objects incorrectly. Be sure to squat down, grab the item and use your leg muscles to lift up.
- Exercise your core. Your core muscles are key to supporting your lower back. Low-impact activities, like walking, will get your heart-rate up, deliver increased oxygen to your spine, and help keep your middle fit.
- Practice your good posture. Much like poor posture can lead to painful back problems, good posture can help prevent injury and strain. Set reminders for yourself throughout the day to check your posture – get up and walk around from time to time – and avoid slouching.
- Reduce your stress. We hold tension in our back muscles, and this type of constant stress can cause back pain. Try introducing stress-relieving activities into your daily routine – meditation, yoga, tai chi – the list of options is long. The trick is finding something that works for you.
- Be the healthiest You that you can be. Think of your spine as an indicator of your body’s overall health and well-being. So, practicing activities that have a positive affect on your health will also have a positive impact on your back. Drink lots of water; minimize alcohol; avoid nicotine; and limit inflammatory foods (sugar, flour, dairy, processed meats, fried and saturated fats).
Of course, prevention is always the best measure to keep your body pain-free. But, if you do encounter a mishap, partnering with your physical therapist and employing these measures to help increase strength and flexibility can also help increase your threshold for future injury.
