Six tips for fending off back pain

Back pain brings more people to the doctor and causes more people to miss work than nearly any other health issue. It’s also the leading cause of disability worldwide. There are, fortunately, a number of things you can do to decrease the risk of experiencing back pain. Here are six preventive measures recommended by the Mayo Clinic.

1. Practice good posture: practice good posture both when standing and sitting. Don’t slouch when standing and when possible, choose a chair with good lower back support, armrests and a swivel base.

2. Use correct lifting procedures: let your legs do the work when picking up something heavy but avoid heavy lifting when possible.

3. Maintain a healthy weight: being overweight strains back muscles.

4. Engage in aerobic exercise: aerobic activities that don’t strain the back (such as walking, jogging and swimming) increase strength, endurance and the functioning of back muscles.

5. Do core exercises: strengthening your core helps condition back muscles.

6. Do flexibility exercises: good flexibility in the hips in particular is essential as limited hip mobility causes inflammation, strain and pain in the back muscles.

If you begin to experience back problems, don’t engage in exercise or activities that strain the back. See your doctor to receive a treatment plan.

Acute back pain (lasting no more than six weeks) should get better with home treatment. For chronic cases, some people choose to see a chiropractor. Chiropractic treatments aim to correct the alignment of the body’s musculoskeletal structure so as to allow the body to heal itself without surgery or medication. Speak to your doctor about this option.