The spine is probably the single most amazing thing about your body. It supports us as we walk upright and helps us to lift objects. Keeping the spine in good shape is vital to a happy, healthy life. As a sufferer of back pain myself, I have learned a few things that may help you to relieve the pain you have or, hopefully, to avoid it altogether.
Back pain can make many of the things we take for granted an ordeal. Even everyday tasks such as tying your shoes can become excruciating when you live with back pain. Thankfully, you don’t have to live like this. It all starts with knowing more about how the spine and the back work, so you can prevent doing things which cause back pain.
Our spines are made up of a series of small bones called the vertebrae which are lined up in a row. There are three natural curves in the spine: there is the lumbar curve in the lower back, the thoracic curve in the middle of the back and the cervical curve which appears in the neck.
The spine is cushioned by discs which are in between each vertebra which prevent them from rubbing directly on each other, something which is very painful. The vertebrae are attached to the muscles of your back.
The spine and muscles work together as a unit to provide movement. To keep your back pain-free and in good health, it’s important to sit and stand using proper posture. This keeps your spine in its natural position ‘ your shoulders should be aligned with your hips. When you sit, keep your feet flat on the floor and your knees at a ninety degree angle. When standing or walking, keep your feet no wider apart than your shoulders.
It is important to have all three natural curves in the back at all times. The posture tips above will help with that. But what if you already have a problem? How can you relieve that pain? If you have bad back pain, spine strength has already been compromised. What do you do?
Simple exercises are the ticket. These can help relieve pain that is already present as well as help avoid it altogether. Before any activity is undertaken, do some stretching and bending. This helps loosen the muscles and gets them ready for the coming activity. A basic warm up, like an athlete before an event.
If you are already in pain, there are exercises you can do, like that above, but they need to be done carefully and not overdone. Leg lifts are great for this and so are side bends and forward/backward bends. Remember, though, that if it hurts, STOP IMMEDIATELY!
By warming up before exercise and maintaining good posture, you’ll usually be able to prevent back pain and even relive back pain that you’re already suffering. There are a lot of people who successfully manage to rid themselves of their back pain by simply training themselves to exhibit good posture.
Be good to your back and spine and it will be good to you for a long time to come. Work to improve posture and your back will reward you.
Finally, whenever you’re lifting, make sure to do so with your legs instead of your back. Many serious back injuries are caused by improper lifting techniques. When you’re lifting, bend at the knee, grasp the object you want to lift and stand – this lets your legs do the lifting and protects your spine.
Filed under Exercises for Lower Back Pain, Lower Back Pain Relief by admin
