How to Prevent Back Pain

When it comes to aging and its myriad of aches and pains, back problems are amongst the most common and the most unpleasant. In fact, it can be completely crippling. Your spine starts to age in your 20s and this process only accelerates as you get older. When your back pain ranges from moderate to extreme severity, it can prevent you from doing a wide range of activities.

You might feel the need to stop exercising, avoid participating in more active social activities or outdoor excursions, find it difficult to concentrate when working at your desk, and even have trouble sleeping. All of these things result in the further deterioration of your physical and mental health.  It is, therefore, undeniably vital to care for your back in your youth, old age, and everything in between.

Prevention is Better than Cure

If you consult any medical professional, they will tell you that caring for your back in your teenage years and twenties is of paramount importance. A little effort goes a long way in the protection of your spine and the preservation of your overall quality of life. There are a variety preventative measures that you can take to protect the wellbeing of your back in the long run.

Abstain from Smoking

Many people are unaware that smoking tobacco negatively impacts on the wellbeing of your spine.  Therefore, the first step in caring for your back is to abstain from smoking. Smoking also slows recovery if your back is already injured.

As tobacco damages your arteries, it negatively effects the disks and joints of your back which can lead to pain. Furthermore, smoking increases your likelihood of developing osteoporosis. This is a bone-thinning disease that can increase the likelihood of injury, discomfort, and pain.

Posture is Important

Your posture determines the amount of pressure placed on your muscles and ligaments. If you spend a prolonged period of time in a hunched position, the muscles of your back, neck, and abdomen will start to feel strained. Strain results in decreased blood supply to the region. This will cause the affected muscles to become weak and develop a feeling of stiffness.

While this stiffness is uncomfortable and possibly even painful, the deterioration of your muscle strength makes you susceptible to sustaining a mild or even severe injury.  Therefore, maintaining the correct posture when standing and sitting, especially for long periods when online learning will significantly improve the strength of your back muscles, thus decreasing the likelihood of sustaining an injury.

Never Neglect Core Strength

Core strength is likely the single most effective method of preventing back pain and supporting spinal alignment. In fact, most cases of back pain result from weak abdominal muscles. Your core is, after all, the centre of your body. When it is strong and able, it takes a significant amount of strain off your back when you walk, sit at your desk, and even sleep. Core-strengthening exercises such as planks and sit ups might just be the simple remedy to your chronic back pain.