Improving your the health of your back doesn’t always require medicine and invasive procedures. Here are a few tips that anyone can do to improve the way their backs feel.
Ten Easy Tips for a Healthier Back
1. If you’ve been inactive for a while, consult with your doctor and start a regular low impact exercise program. Stretching, walking and light weights are a great way to start.
2. Once you’ve become accustomed to basic exercise, you can expand to swimming, speed walking, eliptical machines, or riding a stationary bike. Studies have shown that 30 minutes a day of exercise can enhance your muscle strength and overall flexibility.
3. Consider taking up yoga. The stretching in yoga helps to increase the flexibility and strength of your back and core muscles as well as enhancing your posture.
4. Improve your diet. By changing your eating habits and improving your diet, you will be able to stop gaining excess weight or even start losing weight. A good diet, coupled with the an exercise program can help you shed the pounds. Every pound you lose is one less pound that your back has to support.
5. Remember to stretch before you engage in exercise or start any kind of strenous activity. A bit of light stretching can save you future discomfort.
6. Get yourself some comfortable shoes. Unfortunately, the most fashionable shoes aren’t the best for your back. Switching to low heeled shoes with plenty of support and cushion can help your back.
7. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when it’s time to do any kind of heavy lifting. If you must do any heavy lifting by yourself, remember to lift with your legs and not your back.
8. Give up smoking. If you still are a smoker, do your body a favor and quit. Smoking can reduce the amount of blood flow to your extremities, including the lower back.
9. Make sure your work surface is at the proper height. Whether you are at work or home, having your work area at a comfortable height can help reduce stress on your back.
10. If you are on your feet a lot at work or home, consider using anti-fatigue mats in front of your work area.