Achieve a Healthier Spine in Boardman OH
Achieve a Healthier Spine in Boardman OH
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Sleeping Habits
- Try to support your body as you sleep. Pain at any time is not normal, and if you are feeling pain while you are trying to sleep, find a position that alleviates the pain.
- Back sleepers on average place nearly 50 pounds of additional pressure on the spine that can be reduced by nearly half if a supportive pillow is placed under the knees.
- Side sleepers can reduce pressure on the spine by placing a pillow between the knees.
Standing
- Standing with the knees locked places pressure on the lower back. Relax your stance by placing one foot in front of the other, slightly bending the knees.
- Avoid standing bent at the waist for any period of time, this places undue stress on the spine as well.
Lifting
- Always engage your legs when lifting. Do not lift solely with your back muscles.
- Avoid twisting when lifting anything.
- If pushing or pulling an item is an option, choose it. Always choose pushing before pulling, and engage your leg muscles to lessen the strain on the back.
- Ask for help.
- If carrying the object after lifting, keep it close to the body and spread the weight evenly between both hands.
Sitting
- Avoid slumping in your chair. Keep the shoulders back and the spine straight. Do not let your shoulders become rounded or allow your lower back lose its natural curve.
- Knees should be slightly higher than the hips.
- Keep the head up and looking straight forward.
Bending/Reaching
- Bend the legs to pick up items below waist level. Do not bend at the waist.
- If reaching for an item higher than shoulder height, use a stool. Straining to reach something above the head can cause injury to the neck, shoulders, and mid-back.
- Place your body as close to the object as you reasonably can to further reduce any potential strain.
- Like anything in life, there are no guarantees you will avoid back pain, but employing these simple, commonsense strategies certainly increase your chances of leading a pain free, healthy life!
If you have any further questions don't hesitate to contact our Boardman OH team at Youngstown Spine & Disc today.