How to Handle Back Pain
Back pain affects many of us specially the senior citizens. It can be acute (lasting for about a week or so, can be mild or severe) or it can be chronic (lasting for a longer period of time, can be mild or severe). What ever the severity, it still is painful and can definitely affect our daily routine.
There are several factors that cause back pain. These are:
- Bad posture
- Overweight
- Stress
- Pregnancy
- Too much work
- Injuries to the spine
Despite the above mentioned causes, there are ways to if not eliminate, lessen the back pain:
- When working while sitting for long hours:
* Use a firm chair
* Keep your back straight and use a cushion for support
* Stretch often - When bending down to lift an object, bend your knees. Don’t attempt to lift heavy objects on your own.
- If you will be standing for a long period, wear comfortable and low-healed shoes.
- Reduce weight because too heavy a body will increase the pressure and strain your muscles specially the back. Exercise and a well-balanced diet can help a lot.
- Reduce stress by:
* doing deep breathing exercises or yoga
* sleep well
* if you really needed it, then by all means attend a stress management class
* do not bring your work at home and vice versa - Eat well because nothing beats a well- balanced diet. Include foods that are rich in calcium that is needed for strong bones.
- Consult your doctor for any underlying cause of back pain like kidney problems, cancer, prostate and reproductive problems.
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