Most people will experience back pain at some point. Back pain is one of the leading causes of sick days at work. It is the second leading cause for doctor visits. It also costs employers and employees a lot of money. It’s important to prevent back pain before it happens. So what is the best recommendation?
A recent literature review of 20 studies compared exercise, patient education & ergonomics, lumbar support devices, foot orthotics, training in safe lifting methods and stress management. The study revealed exercise to be the most effective in benefits to relieve and prevent back pain.
One study showed patients that were active had 127 fewer sick days than inactive patients. Exercises are important to strengthen the core. Strong back and abdominal muscles are key in preventing back pain. It’s also important to work on flexibility. The hamstrings, quadriceps and piriformis muscles are tight on most people. Imbalances in these muscles can cause further weakness in the core.
Many other studies show the importance of chiropractic care to prevent back pain. Chiropractic is successful in relieving patients from pain. Regular adjustments are helpful in maintenance to keep the joints aligned. This keeps pressure off the nerves, discs, muscles, tendons and ligaments.
Chiropractic and exercise compliment each other to prevent back pain. Our Freehold chiropractor uses a combination of chiropractic adjustments along with exercise to correct the underlying cause of a patients pain and then to prevent back pain in the future. It is important to make sure the musculoskeletal system is mechanically balanced first so you can get the full benefits of exercise. We guide you in home stretching programs and core stabilization exercises.
Other important factors to prevent back pain:
- Maintain a healthy diet and weight
- Avoid prolonged inactivity or bed rest
- Maintain proper posture
- Sleep on a medium firm mattress to prevent stress on your spine
- Make sure you are properly hydrated to maintain resiliency of your muscles, discs, tendons and discs
To learn more about natural back pain relief contact our office at 732-780-0044