Tips for Preventing Back Pain
Back pain is the worst. It can interfere with sports, driving, or even sitting comfortably at a desk. Here are some tips for preventing back pain:
Get a firm mattress. Choose a box spring and mattress firm enough to allow your spine to be properly aligned as you sleep, so that your ears, shoulders, and hip joints form a straight line on either side of your body.
Lift with your legs. Lifting heavy objects is one of the most common causes of back pain and injury. If you have to lift something, bend your knees and take most of the strain in your legs and abdominals. Or better yet, ask a friend for help!
Don’t sit for too long. Sitting for an extended period of time compresses your spinal disks, which can cause back pain and posture problems. If you have a desk job, try to get up and walk around every once in a while, even if it’s just to the coffee machine.
Drink water. This one’s easy! Drinking six to eight cups of water a day increases the height of your spinal disks, allowing them to act as natural shock absorbers.
