Chronic back pain is one of the most common conditions in the United States. People of all ages struggle with the symptoms, but luckily, there are a number of different steps you can take to alleviate symptoms you’re currently experiencing and reduce the risk of them getting worse with time. In today’s entry, we’re going to take a look at five easy-to-implement lifestyle tips you can use to protect your back.

If you need treatment for back pain in Manassas, then get in touch with The Spine Care Center for an appointment. We’ve helped hundreds of people just like you improve their symptoms and manage their pain, and we would love to help you as well.

How to Protect Your Back

Work on Your Posture

We’ve all heard our parents tell us to sit and stand up straight, but there’s more to good posture than simply holding your body upright. At its core, good posture involves positioning your spine in a way that minimizes the strain on your muscles, ligaments, and tissues.

When standing, this means distributing your weight equally between both legs, slightly bending your knees, and keeping your feet flat on the floor. When sitting, good posture involves resting your elbows on your desk and keeping your shoulders relaxed, maintaining a straight back, and adjusting your computer monitors in a way that allows you to look directly at your screen without tilting or bending your head.

Lift Properly

Given that so many back injuries occur due to improper lifting technique, it’s important to be familiar with how to properly lift heavy objects. No matter what you’re lifting, be sure to:

  • Bend at your hips instead of rounding your back.
  • Keep the weight as close to your body as possible.
  • Move slowly and avoid twisting or making sudden movements.
  • Know your limits and ask for help if you’re having trouble picking something up.

Lose Weight

While losing weight is great for a number of different reasons, back pain relief is one of the most important. Excess weight — especially around the midsection — puts extra pressure on your spine and can cause your discs to compress. In some cases, this can cause herniated discs, spinal arthritis, and other serious conditions. In short, you’ll feel better, have more confidence, and avoid developing chronic conditions by losing weight and keeping it off.

Stretch Often 

Did you know that many patients who struggle with back pain find relief just by stretching? Tight muscles can lead to a number of painful symptoms, especially in the neck and lower back. You don’t have to be a yogi to get relief, either. Simply stretching your hamstrings, hip flexors, and neck muscles for 15 to 20 minutes each day can help you loosen your muscles and reduce your risk of a muscular tear. If you need advice about how to stretch, just ask one of our spine doctors during your consultation.

Visit a Spine Doctor If You’re in Pain

We’ve listed this point last, but it’s certainly not the least important.

If you’re experiencing any kind of back pain, then schedule an appointment with our office as soon as possible. The best form of back pain treatment is prevention, and we’ll develop an individualized action plan that helps you resolve your symptoms and find long-term relief. Our mission is to help residents in Manassas and the nearby areas relieve their pain without resorting to major surgery, and as you’ll see from our patient testimonials, we have an excellent track record of success.

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