Saturday, December 28, 2013

Tips For A Healthy, Pain-Free Back

By Kamryn Mattson


At one time or another, most of us have suffered some level of back pain. This is a worldwide problem, and in just the United States at this moment, you can find more than 25 million suffering from varying degrees of back pain. We spend billions of dollars each year to reduce the pain, not to mention the cost of lost wages and the reduction of our quality of life. If you are suffering from back pain, consider the following tips to help you lessen the pain and avoid future occurrences of back pain.

One of the main reasons why back pain occurs is because our bodies carry more weight than is healthy and we just don't get enough exercise. Moving around loosens up our muscles, making us less prone to injury and back strains. Staying at a healthy weight makes it easier for the back to support our bodies. For many of us, back pain keeps us from exercising in the first place so it's difficult to get into shape. Many medical experts recommend some light, low-impact exercise even if you are suffering from some level of back pain. Obviously you cannot run a marathon or complete 500 sit-ups, but walking and light stretching can actually kick start the healing process.

Another way to avoid hurting your back is to practice good posture. If you work in a job where you stand a great deal, try to keep your back straight and stomach pulled in as much as possible. Firmer stomach muscles take some of the pressure of supporting your frame off of your back. If you sit at a desk most of the day, make sure you have a quality desk chair and don't slouch in the chair. Sit up straight and get up every hour or so, and stretch and walk around to keep your muscles from getting too stiff. When muscles are stiff, you are more likely to suffer from an injury.

Lifting heavy objects is always a risky endeavor for your back, but you can lessen the impact by lifting items correctly. This means you need to use the muscles of your legs, stomach and arms to help you lift rather than simply bending at the waist and lifting an object.

When back pain is severe there are many ways to lessen the pain that don't involve taking prescription or over-the-counter medicines, although these certainly can be helpful. However, going to the chiropractor can be very helpful or perhaps having a massage or a session with an acupuncturist. Another option is to rest and place ice on the sore area to reduce inflammation. You also can use a physiological hybrid shape as a medicine-free pain relief product.

These physiological hybrid shapes were designed to reduce the pain of muscle injury and muscle strains. Athletes use them to reduce discomfort and allow enough freedom of movement to continue moving and working out. While a back brace restricts movement and tape is difficult to apply, the hybrid shapes are easy to apply and don't restrict your movement at all. They feature a unique design with a center point that provides extra structure and support. From there, the arms of the shape reach out to borrow stability and strength from underlying ligaments, muscles and tendons. You can wear a shape for as many as five days, and they will stay firmly on your lower or upper back with a strong, hypoallergenic adhesive.




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