Posted by Suzanne Nagel | Posted in Sports & Recreation | Posted on 01-05-2011
Tags: back pain, body, exercise, fitness, health, pain, pain relief, sports, Sports & Recreation, stress relief, supplements, workouts
Back problems are one of the top medical problems in the United States. Many of these are occupational related but also many come from sports in the home. Is estimated that over $45 billion a year is spent on back related problems. Nearly everyone has low back pain at some point. It seems to most often occur to those between 30 and 50. This is most often associated with the aging process. However, many types of back pain are also preventable as well.
What is the structure that makes up the lower back? Structure is often referred to as the lumbar. The lumbar are the five lumbar vertebrae which we know commonly as the lower back. These loans are stacked in a column in separated by soft tissues.
Each disc of the lumbar is separated by soft tissue areas. The soft tissue consists of tendons, ligaments and muscles. These provide for the flexibility of the spinal column. Maintaining the flexibility of these soft tissue areas helps with the vitality and longevity of the lumbar.
There are a number of serious conditions which can affect the lumbar. A herniated disc can cause much chronic pain because of a nerve being pinched. Fibromyalgia is also a chronic disorder known for its widespread pain. These can be extremely tough to cope with.
There are also acute conditions which are characterized by short term pain in the lower back. Certain ones of these conditions are preventable. Many preventable situations are how we lift objects, are sitting position and our posture. We have control over these items and must be careful not to injure our backs.
Many of us work at a desk and have a computer. We may have to sit for long hours at a time. Having the proper sitting position is important to avoid problems in the lumbar. It is important to have an ergonomic chair which supports the spine and the arms. It should be adjustable so it will comfortably fit your body.
Many of us have bad habits when it comes to sitting. We may lay back to much or lean forward too much. Think of how your spine must support your body’s weight in different positions. Finding the optimal position to relieve stress on the back is important to avoid problems.
When you stand, make sure your shoulders are back and you are fully upright. If you slouch, then you put more weight on to the lower portion of the spine. If you maintain a proper posture, this will go a long way to avoiding stresses and strain on your back.
Probably the most problematic area is lifting objects. In addition to supporting your body weight, your spine must also support the object you are lifting. Most people lift with their backs and not their legs. The strongest muscles of your body are your legs; use them when you lift objects. It just makes sense.
It is important to lift objects properly by using your legs. It is like doing one big event. Put the object in front of you and bend at the knees until you can hold the object. Next straighten your legs back out while maintaining your back straight and in the upright position. This will put the weight of the object on your legs which are the largest muscles in your body.
Stretching is another important preventative method. There are normal stretches you can do line down and then there are stretches of the muscle tissues itself. Normal stretching and exercise is important to maintain the vitality of the spine. Massage therapy provides another way to stretch the muscles not normally accessed by a normal stretching routine.
By maintaining the proper health of your spine, you can avoid many potential lower back problems. Of course, as we age we will lose some strength and flexibility. Therefore, it is vital to have a routine of back healthy activities. This will help ensure that you maintain the flexibility and strength to avoid potential injuries and enjoy many more activities.
You can find a multitude of practical therapies that can help to relieve stress, aches and discomfort for the back. Get Back Pain Treatment with a massage chair to provide you with frequent massage therapy. See our Massage Chairs for Back Pain and find out how you can relieve your stress and stress.
