We put our backs under tremendous
pressure, often unknowingly. Here are four habits to adopt for better back
health.
A
painful back has become the bane of modern life. Even young children who spend
hours at their study desk are susceptible to it, as is everybody else. However,
a niggling back pain is not always the result of an injury – it could just be
the result of wrong everyday behaviours.
- Have a good posture. The number one reason for back pain is an incorrect posture. Those sitting for long hours hunched over their computer tend to curve their backs, and hence their spine. In fact, long hours of sitting with the shoulders down can freeze the spine in an unnatural position, and the paining begins. Soon, it develops into a chronic condition. Meanwhile, many people also do not maintain the correct posture when they walk or stand – the shoulders must be back, chest out and spine straight.
- Sit in a chair with a back rest. Every workplace offers seating to its employees, but not all chairs are ergonomically designed to provide back support. Most chairs have a straight back, which is not useful if one is sitting down for long periods of time. Instead, the back must have a curvature that mimics the alignment of the spine. Also, having a good chair to sit in encourages people to remain seated. Instead, one must walk about periodically, stretch the back and legs, and even do seated neck and shoulder exercises so that the back doesn’t ‘freeze’.
- Sleep on the side. Sleeping on the back has many disadvantages, the primary one being that tremendous pressure is exerted on the spine in this position. Instead, lie down on your side on a suitably supportive mattress. The pillow must be supported by a firm pillow such that the neck is not lowered below the shoulders. If you are in the habit of sleeping on your belly, place a pillow underneath to support the spine.
- Get enough exercise. The muscles are meant to receive regular activity, and not getting enough exercise is detrimental to back health. 30 minutes of cardio (walking, jogging, sprinting, skipping, rowing or cycling) is enough to stimulate the back muscles and increase blood flow to tired tissues. Meanwhile, you can lift moderate to heavy weights or do dead lifts to strengthen the back. Another good side effect of regular exercise is that one sleeps better at night.
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