You can prevent low back pain by following a few simple tips from your doctor of chiropractic. One of the most important things to reduce your risk of back pain is to maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight, especially in the abdominal area, will put unnecessary pressure on your low back. A regular exercise program is essential for a strong, healthy back. If you wake up stiff in the morning, make sure your mattress is supportive and reduces the curve in your low back.
Proper posture and a supportive back rest at the computer or driving are important for prolonged sitting. Always warm up and stretch the low back before any activity that is physical in nature. Many people have their first episode of back pain after gardening, shoveling, or lifting a young child from the car. Be aware of your body position during these seemingly harmless movements.
Work with your doctor of chiropractic to ensure that your spine is properly aligned. Oftentimes, symptoms of a low back issue are not present for weeks or even months. However, once your body can no longer handle the stress placed upon it, your low back may just “give out” unexpectedly. This usually requires a more extensive recovery time and missed work. Chiropractic care has been shown to reduce the time and severity of low back pain episodes, but more importantly can prevent them from occurring in the first place.
