Back Pain can be extremely painful. It affects up to 95% of the population at some stages and costs the economy £10 billion every year in lost productivity or sick benefits. Read our tips on how to cope with back pain and in some cases alleviate the discomfort –
Your weight
If you are above the recommended weight for your height, losing weight can have a significant impact on reducing the strain you place on your back muscles
Lifting
This may sound like teaching your grandmother to suck eggs, but bad lifting techniques can result in serious back problems. Don’t lift anything you don’t have to. Never twist your body to the side when lifting, or lowering. Once you have the load, face the direction of your movement and do not twist at the hips.
Sitting
Sit comfortably in the chair, so that you feel fully supported. Adjust the chair for your position or comfort, with your feet on the ground. Remember to distribute your weight evenly and get up every now and again to stretch.
Standing for long periods
Change position frequently, shifting your weight from one leg to the other. If you suffer from back pain try swapping those 5 inch heels for flats!
Driving
Posture in the car is extremely important, especially for commuters or people spending large amounts of time in the car. Try to prevent slouching, which causes the muscles to tighten and may lead to back pain. Make sure your lower back is supported squarely in the seat and take breaks to stretch.
Sleeping
Get advice about whether you need a soft or a firm mattress. To get out of bed, roll to the side, pull knees up, swing legs over the edge and push up with both arms.
At Back in Action we can help, advice and support you with your back pain and provide products that will help to either prevent back pain or reduce it.
Visit www.backinaction.co.uk for all of our products
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