Spine Institute Northwest shares tips from their expertise on avoiding back pain during your workday.
Back pain is extremely common, and the leading cause of disability worldwide. Chances are if you have called out from work in the past year, it’s due to your pain. A few common causes of back pain include: not using proper body mechanics when lifting at home or at work, a muscle strain or tear, a bulging disk, or even arthritis. Your age, other health issues, and weight can all be contributing factors to the reason back pain is experienced.
You may experience sharp or shooting pains, pain with walking, sitting, or standing, or muscle aches due to your back pain. All of these are common symptoms that come along with back pain.
Five Tips That Can Help You Avoid These Issues
Although back pain and damage is manageable and can be resolved in many cases with medical help, more often than not, it can be prevented. Knowing how to care for your body is key to keeping these issues at bay. Some of the most beneficial tips include:
- Always Use Proper Lifting Technique: When you fail to bend at your knees when lifting an object, even if they aren’t heavy, you are straining your back muscles and could cause a tear. Without bending at the knees, you are lifting an object solely with your back and this puts too much pressure on your muscles. Always be sure to bend at the knees and only lift weight that you know you can handle.
- Practice Proper Posture: Sitting up straight, and even walking straight, without hunching at the shoulders, encourages spine alignment which keeps your body how it was designed to be. If you have a tendency to slouch, make an effort to straighten out throughout the day.
- Stretch: Stretching is a quick and easy method that many people just don’t think about. When you wake up in the morning, after getting out of bed, do a few simple back stretches to start your day off on the right foot.
- Change Your Sleeping Position: There are better sleeping positions depending on the type of back pain you are having. Incorporating a pillow between your knees or bringing your knees up towards your chest are both potential ways to help. You should always talk to your doctor or a professional for the best outcome.
- Exercise: Exercising, even walking thirty minutes a day, is known to ease both muscle tension and inflammation. Getting out and taking a walk may help with your back pain by reducing the inflammation that has been building up.
The Importance of Getting Professional Help
Letting your back pain go without seeking help from a medical professional for too long can leave you with a lasting medical issue. Especially if your pain is associated with a muscle or ligament tear. You will need guidance from a professional who will treat you and give you options for the best outcomes.
You may think it isn’t anything serious but no one is able to know that for sure without a proper examination. Also, if there is help available, and there is, why continue living in constant pain?
A medical professional will be able to get down to the root of your back pain issues and know how to treat you accordingly, so your quality of life improves.
Let Spine Institute Northwest Help
Spine Institute Northwest aims to provide optimal care. They believe that early intervention is paramount, and starting with an accurate diagnosis will determine the proper course of treatment. They have received the Joint Commission’s National Quality Approval and have won the EPP Award for excellence in pain practice. They are a trusted resource in both the Tacoma and Bothell, Washington areas.