|
Avoid
any sudden strain. If you are going to have to bend in any way make sure that
your back is not cold and stiff. Exercise regularly to loosen up the back and
strengthen its supporting abdominal muscles. Stretching your back helps loosen
it and prevent injury.
If you sit for long periods, make sure your back
is properly supported. Place a small roll in the arch of your lower spine (at
waist height) to maintain its normal S-curve. Simply a towel, or cushion rolled
up will do.
When lifting, never bend down from the waist, lower and raise
yourself at the knees. Keep your back straight and hold the object close to your
body. If you are going to carry anything any distance that may be heavy, make
sure that your way is clear. You do not want to be dodging around things when
you are carrying.
Balance items you carry evenly on both sides of your
body and hold them close or use a knapsack.
Sleep on your back if
possible, with knees raised on a pillow. If you sleep on your side, a pillow
between the knees is a big help.
If you need a firm bed, place a board
between the mattress and the box spring.
| Eight
out of ten Americans will experience a backache at some point. Back pain is the
second most common reason for doctor visits in the U.S. The causes of lower back
pain are numerous. Some of the more common causes of lower back pain are:
Sudden injury to the back such
as may occur in an auto accident, fall, sports, or other manner.
Gynecological conditions such
as endometriosis, menstrual cramps, fibroid tumors, and pregnancy are
sometimes the cause of lower back pain in women.
Stress to the muscles, nerves,
or ligaments in the lower back.
Certain jobs such as those
that require repetitive movements, sitting in chairs that are not
ergonomically proper for your back, or standing for long periods of time often
increase back stress and cause lower back pain.
Arthritis, osteoporosis,
osteoarthritis, and other bone or joint diseases often cause lower back pain.
Not getting enough physical
activity, being sedentary, or being overweight often stresses the lower back
causing pain.
Slipped discs, pinched nerves,
sciatica, aging, and infections are other common causes of lower back pain.
Smoking. More than 1300
physicians were followed from time of graduation (1948-1964) from John Hopkins
University, some for over fifty years. The researchers found that smoking
history, hypertension, and coronary artery disease (risk factors for
atherosclerosis, occlusion of the arteries) are significantly associated with
development of lower back pain.
Because there are so many causes of
lower back pain, some serious such as spinal tumors, if you experience lower
back pain see your health care provider for diagnosis. If your lower back pain
is sudden and severe and it is not during your provider's office hours, go
immediately to your local hospital emergency room.
Once
the cause of your back pain has been been properly diagnosed, there are
supplements to physical therapy and good posture that can help, such as skelatal
muscle relaxants like Soma, Selaxin and Flexeril.
Muscle relaxants such
as Soma Selaxin and Flexeril are prescription medications that are used to treat
pain caused by muscle spasms like muscle injuries, spasms, sprains, and strains.
Skelaxin Soma Flexeril and other muscle relaxers are recommended as a supplement
to physical therapy, rest, or other treatments your doctor may recommend, and
will not replace these treatments. |
|
