All it takes is a quick twist when you bend to pick something up. Or maybe your problem is more chronic—sitting at a desk for hours on end can do a number on your spine. Whatever the cause, if you want to stop low back pain from affecting your life, you need to take steps now to correct the underlying problem.
It’s as simple as that.
If your lifestyle is contributing to your pain symptoms and you don’t make any changes, it’s going to be a long, painful road ahead.
On the other hand, if you’re ready to say goodbye to back pain, these five lifestyle changes are a good starting point.
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Choose Healthy Food
Many people who have low back pain suffer because their spines can’t support their body’s weight. It puts too much stress on the discs between the vertebrae, which applies pressure on the surrounding nerves. That’s where the pain comes from.
If your diet is less than healthy (and for most of us, that’s a yes), then you need to start reaching for a carrot rather than a corndog for lunch if you want to stop low back pain from ruining your day. All those little dietary choices you make add up over time. The sooner you begin, the sooner you can reach your target weight.
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Work for 30, Break for 5
Do you work at a desk for a significant portion of your day? If you answered yes, then you need to start taking breaks. A good rule of thumb to follow says that you should take a five-minute walking or standing break for every 30 minutes you work at your desk. Not only can short breaks stop low back pain from interfering with your productivity—it also has some other benefits, too.
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Maximize Your Sleep
Sleeping with back pain can be difficult. If your mattress causes more pain, you need to start taking steps to replace it. Even with a quality mattress, however, you might notice that it’s hard to find a comfortable position. If you need some ideas, try these.
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Practice Good Posture When You Sit
Sitting too much is bad. Sitting too much in a hunched position? That’s about a billion times worse! Food for thought: tilting your head forward an inch can double the pressure that your head puts on your cervical spine (your neck). Now imagine the pressure you are putting on your low back when you slouch at your computer all day!
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Strengthen Your Back
Your muscles work to provide your back with support. If you rarely use your back muscles, those weakened muscles won’t do your spine much good. Talk to your doctor about what you can do to strengthen your back to stop back pain from happening again.
Need to Stop Low Back Pain Immediately?
If you are sick and tired of dealing with low back pain day in and day out, it’s time for you to call my office so that we can have a chat about how to give you relief. Don’t wait any longer. Contact me now.
