How to Prevent Back Pain

Whether you have chronic or acute back pain, here are some ways to eliminate this painful problem.

It’s hard to believe, but lower back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, with over 50 percent of Americans admitting that they experience back pain each year. While the symptoms may feel severe at times, you’ll be happy to know that most back pain is not caused by more serious problems. In fact, you may be able to alleviate some of your back pain symptoms by following these helpful hints from your Glen Ellyn, IL chiropractor at Wesely Family Chiropractic:

Be aware of your posture

It’s easy to slouch when you are sitting in your office chair, especially at the end of a tiring day; however, always be aware of how you are sitting. Always have your back aligned right against the back of your office chair and stop yourself when you star to lean forward in your seat.

If your back pain is chronic, it might be worth it to invest in an ergonomic chair. However, a proper chair isn’t always enough to alleviate pain. Your spine was not meant to sit in one position for long periods of time; therefore, it’s important to give yourself breaks to stand and stretch throughout the day.

Do your exercises

You should be doing back stretching and strengthening exercises a couple times a week. Always move slowly when stretching and hold stretches for about 20 to 30 seconds to allow muscles to become loose. Really set aside a few hours each week to give yourself a good back-stretching workout. Also, talk to your Glen Ellyn chiropractor about other back exercises that could help alleviate discomfort.

Avoid heavy lifting

While we recommend staying away from heavy lifting if you already have back pain, this may be unavoidable at some point in your life. However, when picking up heavy boxes or items always remember to bend at the knees and keep your back straight. You’ll want your leg muscles to be doing the work, not your back.

Stay healthy

It’s also important to incorporate healthy eating habits and an active lifestyle into the mix if you want to keep your body fit and strong. Foods rich in iron, magnesium and vitamins A, D, and K promote healthy bones and tissues. Vitamin C is also extremely important for healing. Incorporate lean meats, leafy greens, dairy and whole grains into your diet to promote stability, strength and function.

Lose the weight

Your back pain could be due to the few extra pounds you’re carrying around. If this is the case, it’s important to lose that weight in order to take some of the stress off your back. Incorporating the balanced diet above and maintaining an active lifestyle will go a long way to helping you lose weight. Talk to your Glen Ellyn, IL back doctor about nutritional and dietary advice to help with your back pain.

Why put up with back pain any longer? Our team of Glen Ellyn, IL back doctors at Wesely Family Chiropractic is here to get you on the road to recovery.