It's that time of year when we start doing all kinds of activities that can really irritate our lower backs. Golfing, Gardening, Fishing, just to name a few.
Americans spend $50 billion annually on back pain treatments!
An estimated 80% of Americans experience low back pain during the course of their lifetime. It is the single most common reason people seek help from our office. It is also the most common reason for lost time at work. Most of these cases are mechanical in nature, meaning the pain is not due to a serious medical condition such as arthritis or fracture. Rather, the pain is a product of poor posture and improper movement.
Many of the flare-ups we see in the spring are due to the forward flexed position, typically seen with gardening, fishing, and golfing. The most pressure we can place on their lumbar spine, is to be in forward flexion.
If back pain affects 8 out of 10 people,
what can we do to prevent it?
1) Get adjusted BEFORE you feel pain. (Once Per Month)
2) Exercise regularly.
3) Keep your back and abdominal muscles strong.
4) Always stretch before and after strenuous physical activity.
5) Don't slouch when standing or sitting.
6) Sit in chairs or car seats with good lumbar support.
7) Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes. (Consider Custom Orthotics)
8) Change position often and periodically walk around
to relieve muscle tension.
9) Sleep on a firm surface and on your side to reduce
curving of the spine.
10) Maintain a proper weight.
11) Stop Smoking, as it reduces blood flow to our lower spine,
causing degeneration.
12) Lift with your legs, keeping your back straight.
13) Optimize Vitamin D levels to promote bone strength.
-14) Drink plenty of water to enhance the height of intervertebral discs.
