Build a healthy back with exercise
Back pain is one of the most common medical complaints of people worldwide. It is so common that up to 80% of all individuals living in the U.S. will experience agonizing back pain at least once in their lifetime. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for back pain to reoccur, with some people developing chronic back pain lasting three months or more. Many people will tolerate the annoyance of the pain, but eventually, it can be disruptive to a person’s daily activities.
In many cases, it is unnecessary to see a doctor for back pain as it usually will go away with or without treatment. However, for any person experiencing numbness or tingling, if the pain is severe enough to affect walking and or doesn’t improve with medication or rest, a visit to the doctor is wise. Other problems warranting a doctor’s visit that may be associated with the back pain include trouble urinating, weakness, pain or numbness in the legs, a fever, or unintentional weight loss.
Causes of back pain
The causes of back pain are usually the result of a medical condition and not a diagnosis itself. This could include the following:
- Mechanical problems such as disk degeneration, muscle tension or spasms, or a ruptured or herniated disk.
- An injury possibly from lifting or twisting improperly. Other causes could be osteoporosis or a serious injury resulting from a fall or accident.
- Acquired conditions and diseases such as scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, or various forms of arthritis such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Infections and tumors, however, these are rare causes of back pain.
Keeping your back healthy and pain-free
- Strengthen back muscles
In order to keep us upright and relieve pressure on the spine, our back muscles must be strong. The stronger they are, the more pressure that is reduced and the less pain you will feel.
The way to achieve strong back muscles is to do exercises targeting the muscles of the abdomen, shoulders, and legs.
- Stretch back muscles
Keeping back muscles flexible is very important for a healthy, pain-free back. A flexible back helps prevent becoming injured and provides a good range of motion for bending over or lifting something from the ground.
Practice stretching movements for the back by stretching the hamstrings and quadriceps in the thigh and the abductor and gluteus muscles in the hips and buttocks.
- Improve posture by standing and sitting up straight
Good posture is a smart way for preventing back pain. This relieves stress on the back when you stand up straight. Aligning your head with your hips and hips aligned with your feet is considered the correct posture.
Exercises that work the upper extremities help improve neck and upper back posture, while core and leg exercises enhance lower back posture.
- Avoid heavy lifting
If you do lift something heavy, lift correctly by using your leg muscles to do most of the work by bending your knees and keeping your back straight.
- Lose weight if overweight
Carrying excess weight will only put a strain on your back, resulting in pain.
- Wear a good pair of supportive shoes
It’s your feet that take the initial shock of whatever type of surface you are walking on. However, a good pair of walking shoes can minimize the shock that gets transferred to your joints and back. Ladies, if you plan on doing a good amount of walking, standing, or movement during the day, leave the high heels at home.
- Move frequently throughout the day
Movement is good for your back so avoid staying in the same position for prolonged periods of time during the day. Incorporate active task-oriented activities between sedentary tasks such as sitting at a desk all day, walking to the water cooler, walking over to a co-worker’s desk to deliver a message instead of using email, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
Dr. David Samadi is the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor to NewsMax TV and is also the author of The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi’s Guide to Men’s Health and Wellness, available online both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911.