Although some forms of back pain are impossible to stop, there are many forms of back pain that can be prevented by making a few simple changes to your life.
Read and take action on the following 6 tips and you may benefit in the future.
1.
Ensure that you exercise both regularly, and correctly.
Having poor flexibility and being overweight can increase your risk of developing back pain.
By exercising regularly and properly, you are strengthening the muscles that support the back, drastically reducing your chances of getting back pain.
Additionally, regular exercise will ensure that your weight is at its ideal level - being overweight will increase stress of the back, causing damage.
2.
Ensure that you lift objects in the correct manner.
Anyone who has been on a health and safety course at work is likely to have practiced this.
You should space your feet out evenly, bend your knees to lower your body, grasp the object with both hands, and lift with your legs, not your back.
If an object is too heavy, do not try to lift it, get some help instead.
When lifting the object, ensure that you tighten the muscles in your stomach, as this provides extra support for the back.
Incorrect lifting is one of the major causes of back problems in the United States.
3.
Stay at your ideal weight: Every pound over your ideal weight adds 5 pounds of pressure to your back.
The more extra weight your body has to carry around, the more likely it is that your back will suffer damage.
Watch what you eat, and stay active.
4.
Work on good posture.
Slouching and poor posture in general can create extra stress on the spine.
You should focus on walking and sitting whilst maintaining a straight spine.
Special posture improving chairs can help with this.
There are many back friendly tools available for purchase.
5.
Do not smoke.
Smoking is proven to massively increase the risk of back pain and problems with the spinal cord in general.
Not smoking also prevents a huge range of different medical problems.
6.
Avoid sleeping on your stomach.
It is recommended that you sleep on your back or on your side.
A firm mattress can also greatly assist in preventing back problems.
Sleeping on your stomach increases stress on your spine, and is made worse by the fact that this stress is over a prolonged period as most people will sleep for over 8 hours.
Following these 6 simple but effective tips should help prevent the majority of back problems.