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I've Got Your Back!

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Keep Your Back in Top Shape

Prevent injury and maintain a healthy back with these sensible strategies.

Once you’ve had an episode of back pain, you’re more likely to have another that’s more intense and takes longer to heal. Prevention is crucial.

Maintain a healthy weight.

There are two ways excess body weight can set the stage for back pain. First, increased weight adds to compressive forces on the spine.
Where you carry weight is also a factor. People who carry weight in their abdominals end up with a muscle imbalance, front to back; abdominal muscles lengthen and weaken, which causes low back muscles to become tighter.

Perfect your posture.

Good posture efficiently uses muscles and doesn’t overload them. When standing, draw your navel to your spine (as if you were putting on tight pants). You’ll engage the muscles that hold your back in a neutral position to avoid taxing joints and discs. Also, check your seated posture, especially if you spend a lot of time in front of a computer. When you slouch, your head sticks forward. That makes the muscles around the spine work harder to try to straighten things out. Pull your head back over your shoulders to align the spine. And since sitting puts more pressure on your back than standing or walking, get up every half hour, even if it’s just to walk around the desk.

Exercise regularly.

In a recent Korean study, people who exercised three to four times a week were 42 percent less likely to experience low back pain than those who didn’t exercise. Exercise improves blood flow to joints and discs, which decreases chances of injury and speeds recovery should you become injured. It also helps with weight maintenance. Low- or no-impact aerobic activities like walking, biking, water aerobics, swimming, or using an elliptical trainer will increase strength without impairing your discs and joints.

Try yoga.

It stretches back muscles, helps encourage good posture, and fortifies your core, the muscles around the spine. Strengthening those muscles won’t necessarily reverse arthritic or degenerative changes, but you’ll be much less likely to have back pain.

Time exercise right.

If you’ve had a back problem in the past, you probably should not exercise vigorously first thing in the morning. Discs rehydrate overnight and are plumper come morning. They’re under more pressure and, thus, more likely to herniate. Go about your normal activities for an hour or two, then exercise.

Stretch often.

Tight hamstrings pull down on your pelvis, limiting the range of motion in your hips and irritating the lower back. To stretch your hamstrings, lie on your back with your left knee bent. Grab your right calf and pull your leg toward your chest. If you can’t reach your calf, wrap a towel around the arch of your foot, hold onto the ends and pull until you feel your hamstring stretch (not until it hurts). Incorporate 15 minutes of stretching at least two to three times a week.

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Creator: runningbear
Category: General/Other
Posted: 4/8/2008

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	“ AGREED!!! ”
	- MleighS84 on 4/11/2008 in response to MyFitnessHut

	“ Once the damage is done there is no coming back completely. Even back surgery is an invasive and generally temporary fix, and who wants to put their body through that? It's better for your overall health to be proactive (and not just when it comes to your back!) ”
	- runningbear on 4/8/2008

	“ Excellent tips. Someone in my family once injured her back and it has never been the same. Thanks for watching our backs! ”
	- plucky on 4/8/2008

	“ Thanks for reading and commenting! I know too many people who have ruined their backs permanently by failing to protect them. ”
	- runningbear on 4/8/2008

	“ Great post! The back and whole core area is critical. Many people start working the limbs first. The core should be the first area stabilized and strengthened. ”
	- MyFitnessHut on 4/8/2008

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