If you have ever dealt with back pain, you know that it can truly make your life miserable. It’s easy to take a healthy back and spine for granted—but anyone who experiences back pain regularly wants nothing more than to get back to their normal, pain-free life. Back pain makes everything difficult—sleeping, exercising, and even moving around the house. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep your back healthy and avoid painful symptoms. Below are five of the most important:

1)     Stretch before physical activity. Thousands of Americans across the country injure their backs every year. Physical activities are one of the biggest culprit—but the truth is that many of these injuries can be avoided simply by thoroughly stretching before participating in a sport or physical activity. Spend 10-15 minutes loosening up and stretching your back before an activity—if you’d like to learn more about how to do this, contact me today!

2)     Exercise regularly. Not only will exercise help to keep you in shape and lead a more healthy lifestyle, but regular exercise will help you keep your back muscles loose, flexible, and strong. If you are currently experiencing back pain, consider low-impact exercise like yoga, swimming, or even speed walking. Regular exercise also helps you maintain a healthy weight, which decreases the amount of stress you place on your back.

3)     Choose the right chair. If you spend a significant portion of time each day sitting in a certain chair, such as your office chair or a chair in your living room, make sure that it’s healthy for your back. Look for a chair with good lumbar support and one that keeps you at the right height and position for whatever it is that you’re doing. Throughout the day, take a few moments to get up from your chair and walk around the room, stretching gently in order to keep your back loose. The right chair can make a huge impact on the health of your back—if you’d like to learn more, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me today!

4)     Eat right. You may not realize it at first, but eating healthy plays a substantial role in maintaining a healthy back. Not only will nutrients like calcium and vitamin D promote healthy, strong bones—but a nutritious diet helps you maintain a healthy weight. And by reducing the amount of excess weight on your body, particularly around your midsection, you can dramatically reduce the stress you place on your back.

5)     Don’t overdo it. Finally, one of the most common causes of back pain is easily avoided simply by knowing your limits. If you’ve been playing a sport or working around the house and you start to feel tired and worn out, stop what you’re doing! The more fatigued you are, the more susceptible your back is to injury. Don’t push your luck!

A healthy back is something to be treasured. Whether or not you are currently experiencing back pain, these steps will help you strengthen your back and spine—allowing you to focus on enjoying your life!

www.IValueLife.com