Health Tip: Help Prevent Low Back Pain
It's not always possible to prevent low back pain. But the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says there are things you can do to help keep it away:
- Get plenty of regular exercise, including aerobics and exercises to strengthen your back and abdominal muscles.
- When carrying heavy objects, lift with your legs, not your back. Always bend at the knees with a straight back; don't bend over.
- If you're overweight, lose those extra pounds to reduce stress on the lower back muscles.
- Don't smoke. Smoking contributes to degeneration of the spine.
- Maintain good posture, especially while sitting, lifting objects and standing.
Health Tip: Manage Pain Without Drugs
Pain-relieving medications offer relief for many people with sudden or chronic pain. But these drugs have their own risks and potential side effects.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers this list of pain-relieving alternatives to medication:
- Applying heat.
- Applying ice or a cold compress.
- Massaging the area.
- Getting sufficient rest.
- Using relaxation techniques.
- Using biofeedback, which teaches you how to gain partial control over certain physiological processes, including blood pressure and heart rate.
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