Back is one of the most worked parts of a human body. Back houses the spine which holds the spinal cord in place and is supported by the back muscles. The anatomical structure of the back is such that it permits smooth movements while sitting, bending, lying down and walking. With the advancements in the field of technology, most of the professions involve long hours of sitting which in turn affects the posture and functionality of your back.
How to prevent your back from damage?
Preventing your back from any injuries or over work is the primary step towards preventing back pain. The under mentioned precautions can be useful in reducing the damage to the back thereby reducing the pain associated with the back muscles.
What are the types of back pain?
Like any other pain, even back pain is of two types
- Acute pain which is of sudden onset and is associated with symptom like severe pain and fever and could be a result of an injury or infection in the back muscles or bone
- Chronic pain which last for about more than 4 weeks and is of milder intensity and is associated with long standing diseases affects your back
How can you prevent back pain?
Back pain is a common finding nowadays and most of the population is affected by it at some or the other age, even younger age individuals are affected. Just a few precautions and change in lifestyle ca n help in prevention of back pain.
- Get fit. Do the right amount and type of exercise to keep your muscles and body active. Regular exercise helps in relieving the muscles thereby reducing any kind of inflammation
- Do not sit in the same position for a longer period of time
- Do not sleep on your back, sleeping sideways helps in preventing back pain by maintaining the posture of your back
- If you are overweight, exercise and try to lose weight as excess weight puts load on the joints thereby causing inflammation and pain
- Maintain your adequate posture while sitting, standing and walking to avoid stress on your back muscles and the spine
- Do not take stress as stress indirectly causes tension in the muscles of the body which can lead to pain and discomfort
- Take care of your back while driving. Make sure that your lower back is adequately supported
- Do not lift heavy weights as they may be damaging to your back muscles and bones
- If you smoke then quit smoking, because smoking causes narrowing of the arteries which reduce the blood supply to the muscles and the bones of the back thereby affecting your back
- If you encounter any injury associated with your back, consult your doctor and get it examined and do advised exercises and physiotherapy sessions as suggested
Inclusion of a few precautions in your day to day life can serve as tool for the prevention of back pain on a day to day basis and even in the long run. Ask your healthcare provider and your consulting doctor about more details on prevention of back pain.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
