Back pain is a highly problematic ailment that affects all individuals. While it's often due to injury or bad posture, aging is often a leading cause. In fact, back pain causes about 5 million people to go for medical consultations annually, and one in five people will suffer back pain at some point in their life. This post will show you why a preventive approach is better and why you should see an osteopath if you are already experiencing back pain.
Causes of Back Pain
In most cases, back pain starts out slowly as a mild ache due to poor posture, injury, or aging, resulting in reduced mobility and, subsequently, chronic pain. Some of the causes of back pain include muscular strain, which results from lifting heavy objects, poor posture, and sudden sharp movements.
Also, when bulging or herniated discs press upon the spinal nerves, it can cause pain and discomfort. Another cause of back pain is degenerative disc disease due to aging, as dehydrated discs result in increased pain and reduced shock absorption. Back pain can also result from osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis.
Prevention Is Always Better Than Cure
Research has shown that surgery isn't the best solution for fixing back pain. Instead, prevention is preferable to treating it after it occurs. Some of the ways to prevent back pain include being conscious of your posture while standing, sitting, and lifting. Also, lift heavy objects with your legs, not your back. Furthermore, maintaining a healthy weight helps prevent strain on your back.
Exercises to Help You Stay Pain-Free
One of the most effective ways to prevent back pain is to engage yourself in exercise. Some exercises to practice include:
Shoulder Rolls: Breathe in, and roll your shoulders down and back while inhaling. Then, breathe out while rolling your shoulders upwards. You can repeat this exercise five times.
Planks: This exercise can improve your posture and support your spine.
Bridges: Bridges strengthen the glutes and are great for lower back pain and overall body stability.
Cat-Cow Stretch: This stretch is a yoga pose that helps to strengthen and stretch back muscles.
Chest Stretch - Hold a resistance band in a wide grasp above your head. Then, move your arms backward and stretch the front part of your chest. Maintain this position for 20 seconds.
Do You Already Have Back Pain? Connect With the Osteohealer™ Today to Feel the Healing
If you're already suffering from back pain, don’t worry - the Osteohealer™, Dr. George Cheriyan, can help you identify the cause of the pain, provide osteopathic manipulation and other techniques to alleviate the discomfort, and recommend exercises and stretches to prevent future occurrences. Schedule an appointment today to feel the healing.