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Back pain is almost as common as a cold, and that means you will probably experience it at some point in your lifetime. Fortunately, like the common cold, your back pain episode will likely heal on its own with time.
There are many parts of your back that can produce pain if strained or injured, and these include nerves, muscles, bones, ligaments, and joints.
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body. It runs from each side of the lower spine through deep in the buttocks and backs of the thighs and all the way down to your feet, connecting the spinal cord to the leg and foot muscles.
For more information about men’s health, contact the healthcare professionals at Memorial Hospital, at (423) 495-2525, or visit the Memorial Web site.
The way you sit is extremely important for the health of your back, and sitting for long periods of time incorrectly is one of the most common causes of back pain. Sitting in a static posture can increase stress in your neck, arms, legs, back muscles, and spinal discs. In addition, sitting in a slouched position can overstretch the spinal ligaments and strain the spinal discs.
Here are some suggestions that, according to the specialists at Spine-Health.com, will help you treat your back right and avoid pain, especially if you have a job that requires you to work at a desk for hours.
Get lower-back support. When your back is pressed against the back of the chair, there should be a cushion that causes your lower back to arch slightly. This will minimize the load on your back and keep you from slumping forward.
Use the armrest. If you can adjust the armrests of your chair so they just slightly lift your arms at the shoulders, it will reduce strain on you neck and shoulders, making you less likely to slouch forward.
If you have an adjustable chair, you're off to a great start. If your chair's not adjustable, it may take you a little more time, but you still may be able to fix things.
Special Chairs
The above tips apply to traditional chairs that are designed to give you complete support, but there are alternative chairs. A kneeling chair promotes good posture without a back support, and an exercise ball helps develop your abdominal and back muscles while you sit. If you have an injured back or any other health problems, talk with your doctor before you use these chairs.
Get Up and Stretch
No matter what kind of chair you have and how comfortable you are, prolonged static posture is not good for your back. If you stand, stretch, and walk around for a minute or two every half hour, your joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons will remain looser, and that will help you stay comfortable, relaxed, and more productive.
Lifting Correctly: Keep Your Chest Forward Improper lifting is a common cause of back injury, and the injury can be either to your muscles, discs, joints, or a combination of the three.
Proper lifting is not just about bending your knees anymore. According to the specialists at Spine-Health.com, you should also remember these guidelines.
Keep your chest forward. Bend at the hips, not the lower back. To do this, just push your chest out. Your knees will bend automatically, letting the muscles of your legs and hips produce the power for the lift.
Lead with your hips, not your shoulders. Lead into the lift with your hips so that your shoulders and hips stay aligned with each other. Twisting of hips and shoulders in different directions while lifting can hurt your back and pelvis.
Keep the weight close to your body. The closer you hold an object to your body, the nearer it is to your center of gravity, and the less force you and your back will need to absorb in order to lift it.
Get help if necessary. If the object is too wide to get between your knees when lifting, get someone to help you with it.
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