Jul 21, 2009

Common Methods to Prevent Lower Back Strains

By James G Knolon

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.

There are five discs that compose the lumbar and form part of the spinal column which is supporting your body's weight. The spinal column supports the weight of the body and also protects the spinal cord. The lumbar consist of five discs which are stacked on top of each other. They are separated by bands of soft tissue which allow the column to be flexible.

There are certain chronic conditions which cause degeneration to the soft tissues or the bone of the cervical discs. Conditions such as degenerative disc disease or degenerative arthritis are chronic and may require surgery to rectify.

There are many acute conditions of lower back pain that can be prevented. Generally, situations having to do with your sitting position, posture and the lifting of objects need to be performed properly to avoid problems in the lower back.

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 just have poor sitting habits. We may not properly support our backs by leaning too far forward or leaning too far back. We also do not want to sit for long periods of time. It is in order to get up and walk around after sitting for a while.

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.

When you do lift an object, make sure that you listed with your legs. It is better to bend at the knees and then hold the object. Use your legs to then lift it up. This helps to keep the weight of you and the object evenly distributed across your spine.

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.

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