Back pain is widespread, affecting just about everyone at some point in their lives. If you are part of the large percentage of the population that will suffer from back pain at some point, you are probably curious about how to prevent back pain as you age. Fortunately, you can do many different things to reduce your risk of back pain and make sure your back stays strong and healthy for years to come. Here are some tips to help you out.
Consume Anti-Inflammatory Drink Daily
Consuming anti-inflammatory foods and drinks such as ginger, garlic, and green tea daily can significantly reduce back pain. These herbs and foods have some pretty potent anti-inflammatory effects on your body and can help prevent acute and chronic inflammation, one of the leading causes of back pain. For people who want to attack their back pain issues head-on, taking some additional supplements that target joints, such as glucosamine-chondroitin sulfate might be worth considering; however, there are also plenty of natural options, like green tea extract.
Keep a Healthy Weight
Lower-back pain is one of those things that sneaks up on you, so keeping a healthy weight is essential. Rather than thinking about your ideal body weight, it would help to maintain muscle mass in your body since muscle acts as an internal spine support system. Lower back pain is often attributed to degenerative discs, which are more common in overweight people. If you’re feeling pain now but can still comfortably exercise and do activities without any adverse effects, it may be easier to lose weight now than later, when you start experiencing more severe symptoms.
Take Medications
No one likes taking medications, and no one wants to take medications, but if you have had back pain for a long time and it doesn’t get better with exercise, talk to your doctor about what can be done. Some excellent medications will help you get rid of back pain and keep it from coming back. Don’t believe those commercials—you aren’t going to be able to stop your problems with over-the-counter medication; you need a prescription from your doctor. Schedule a visit as soon as possible. Treatments can range from physical therapy to surgery, depending on how serious things are.
Do Simple Exercises
Staying physically active is one of the most effective ways to help prevent back pain as you age. Start with basic bodyweight exercises, like push-ups and squats. If those are too difficult, use a stability ball instead of a chair for sitting and walking; starting to move around more will increase your activity levels and help prevent muscle atrophy. The more healthy muscle mass you have, whether it’s in your arms or your core, the less likely you are to experience aches and pains due to reduced physical activity.
Keep an Upright Posture
One way to maintain good posture is to keep in mind that your ears, shoulders, and hips should all be in line when you’re standing. If you find yourself slouching or leaning forward, pay attention to that body language and correct it. Here’s another reminder to sit up straight at work! Maintaining proper posture might take some practice, but do not neglect it; even though back pain is not dangerous for most people, it can still become an annoyance if left untreated. Good postural habits can also help relieve stress on your back by keeping your spine aligned properly.
