How to prevent low back pain
According to the ACP in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the most common reason for visiting a doctor in 2016 was low back pain. It is believed that ¼ of adults in America suffered from low back pain at least once in the previous 3 months1. If you take into consideration the number of patients that visit our Orthopaedic Surgery Wellington center for this very reason every day, then this data seems accurate. Low back pain is a common condition that can be caused by many different factors, such as not getting enough exercise, or on the contrary, having too much high-intensity workouts that overburden the back. Most people spend at least 8 hours by their desks every single day in an uncomfortable position, they drive to and from work, and then they spend the remaining time of the day, sitting on the couch in front of the TV. This cannot be good for the back, can it? How can we stop the ever-increasing number of patients who suffer from low back pain? What are the best solutions to deal with the problem? Keep reading to find answers to those and many other back pain-related questions.
1. Avoiding the problem
The easiest way to deal with back pain is of course prevention. Most back pain results from the patient’s bad habits and neglect of the signals their body is giving them. According to our spine surgery specialists at Orthopedic Surgery Wellington center, a daily 30-minute-long walk can make all the difference in the way we feel. Take a walk instead of driving, and if that’s impossible, try to at least park further away from your destination and walk that distance. It is also vital to take short breaks during your work day to stretch, especially if you spent most of the time in sitting position. Take a five-minute break for every 60 minutes you sit at your desk – your back will thank you for it.
Another crucial factor that can weigh on whether or not you will suffer from low back pain is your weight. People that suffer from obesity drastically increase the risk of back pain. In fact, this is one of the most common reason for the back pain to occur. It’s a given your back will hurt since it is carrying all that excess weight. Take care of your diet to avoid back problems – it’s the best thing you can possibly do for your health.
2. Dealing with the problem
If in spite your best intentions you still suffer from low back pain, perhaps it is time for you to visit our Orthopedic Surgery Wellington center and consult one of our spinal specialists. According to new guidelines, it’s no use in taking painkillers to deal with chronic back pain2. Why? There are methods that are far more effective and much less harmful to the patient’s health. They include heat therapy, acupuncture, spinal manipulation or exercise such as yoga, stretching, etc. At our Orthopedic Surgery Wellington center our doctors, after careful examination, will determine the best treatment options to ensure your comfort and well-being.
Orthopedic Surgery Wellington
Our orthopaedic doctors at PBOI’s Orthopaedic Surgery Wellington center provide total management of patient care. Our entire team of orthopaedic physicians (who are Board Certified and Fellowship trained in their fields), are experienced at helping patients with orthopaedic conditions get back on their feet. If you’d like to find out more or want to make an appointment with one of our doctors, visit our website or contact us today.
