Managing and Avoiding Back Pain

Back pain is considered a significant cause of work loss12. Rest assure that most back problems are treatable and curable. And that's good news to those of you who will be suffering from lower back pain at some point in your adult lives. So sit up straight and take a look at some of the causes and solutions to those nagging back problems.

Where Does Back Pain Come From?
Lower back pain can occur in people who are overweight, in poor physical shape, have poor posture or are sitting or standing for long periods of time. Muscle strain is another cause of back pain, either from lifting something that is too heavy or by lifting objects incorrectly. Many pregnant women also develop lower back pain due to the extra weight that they support during pregnancy.

How Can I Relieve My Back Pain?
Whatever you suspect to be the cause of your back pain, the first step in treating it should be to see your doctor. A typical course of treatment for the pain of a muscle spasm or back injury would be the following:

• Bed rest for a few days
• Local application of either heat or cold, depending on the type of injury
• A massage of the area, especially for a muscle spasm
• An over the counter pain medication such as Advil ( which contains ibuprofen), which works at the site of the pain where inflammation may be present

How to Help Avoid Back Pain?
Proper lifting techniques and the right exercises can help both those who have never experienced back pain, as well as chronic sufferers.

• Always bend at the knees and not at the waist
• Never twist while lifting
• Avoid lifting anything above shoulder height
• Ask for help with lifting heavy objects

Pay attention to your posture:

• Stand with one foot elevated and shift positions often
• Walk with erect posture and wear comfortable shoes
• Sit with both feet on the floor and your knees at least as high as your hips and firmly against the back of the chair
• When driving, move your seat close enough to allow your feet to reach the pedals easily, and drive with both hands on the wheel

Make sure you do your exercises every day and loose weight if necessary. Remember to also take breaks to avoid overworking your back.