Saturday, July 18, 2009

Prevention of Lower Back Misery

By James Q Nolan

Did you know that back problems are one of the top 10 medical problems in the United States? It is estimated that over $50 billion a year is spent to diagnose and treat back related problems. Of course, some of these conditions are chronic stemming from degenerated diseases. However, the vast majority of these problems come from improper posture and lifting. These are preventable situations for low back pain.

The lower back is often referred to as the lumbar. These are the five lumbar vertebrae located just below the thoracic cage. Each of these vertebrae is separated by the soft tissues of ligaments, tendons and muscles. The spinal cord runs through the middle of these small discs.

Each disc of the lumbar is separated by soft tissue areas. The soft tissue consists of tendons, ligaments and muscles. These provide for the flexibility of the spinal column. Maintaining the flexibility of these soft tissue areas helps with the vitality and longevity of the lumbar.

There are a number of serious conditions which can affect the lumbar. A herniated disc can cause much chronic pain because of a nerve being pinched. Fibromyalgia is also a chronic disorder known for its widespread pain. These can be extremely tough to cope with.

There are also acute conditions which are characterized by short term pain in the lower back. Certain ones of these conditions are preventable. Many preventable situations are how we lift objects, are sitting position and our posture. We have control over these items and must be careful not to injure our backs.

Many of us work at a desk and have a computer. We may have to sit for long hours at a time. Having the proper sitting position is important to avoid problems in the lumbar. It is important to have an ergonomic chair which supports the spine and the arms. It should be adjustable so it will comfortably fit your body.

When you said, it is important that you are seated upright. If you lean too far back or forward this causes can uneven distribution of your weight. If you sit in an improper position, then this puts more stress and strain on your spine.

When you stand, make sure your shoulders are back and you are fully upright. If you slouch, then you put more weight on to the lower portion of the spine. If you maintain a proper posture, this will go a long way to avoiding stresses and strain on your back.

Probably the most problematic area is lifting objects. In addition to supporting your body weight, your spine must also support the object you are lifting. Most people lift with their backs and not their legs. The strongest muscles of your body are your legs; use them when you lift objects. It just makes sense.

When you do lift an object, make sure that you listed with your legs. It is better to bend at the knees and then hold the object. Use your legs to then lift it up. This helps to keep the weight of you and the object evenly distributed across your spine.

A preventative method to use for strengthening the lower back and maintaining its vitality is stretching. To maximize flexibility of the soft tissues between the discs, you should develop a routine of back healthy activities. These back healthy activities include stretching exercises, walking and massage therapy. Get into a routine to maintain a healthy and flexible lumbar.

Make sure you keep to key concepts in mind for the health of your lower back. This area must be strong and flexible. Perform daily activities which improve the strength and flexibility of the lower back. This will help you to maintain the vitality of this important area. Remember your long-term mobility depends on the health of your lower back.

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