Back Pain ... 3 things to avoid

Back pain statistics are not a pretty sight. In fact almost 50% of you reading this will be doing so with back pain now. And over 80% of you will have back pain at some stage soon.n

So when it arrives there are 3 things you need to be aware of to help your pain ease faster. Follow this advice and you can avoid aggravating your back pain and actually help it disappear.n

The first thing you need to avoid is any sudden movement. Most movement in your day is automatic – you have to pick up your child, you shift a chair, pick up groceries and so many other activities. For now you need to do this in a more controlled manner.n

Think before you lift. Look at what you will lift and how you can do it without aggravating your back pain. If possible, get someone else to lift it for you.n

The second thing to avoid is bed rest. Studies have shown that you are better to keep moving than to lie in bed. If you are active then you help to keep your joints moving and also muscles relaxed. This does not mean you should get out there and try and do everything.n

What you need to do is just keep active. You need to move around your house or workplace. You still need your rest because overdoing it will aggravate your back pain.n

Generally keep active though. This leads you to the final piece of advice.n

Exercise is good but overly physical exercise should be avoided. Being active is one thing, being silly is another! The best exercise is gentle and balanced.n

This means activities such as swimming, walking or even cycling are good. Do them gently and do not try to over exert your self. Exercise again helps to keep your joints moving freely and helps your muscles from becoming too tight. n

However over-exercise will aggravate your back pain. Do not try to play sports such as tennis, squash or even golf – especially if you are very competitive. When you play sport with others you end up trying to win and can easily be pulled into the “must win” style of exercise. It is better to play and lose than to play and “lose”.n

What this means is participate and have fun rather than try to win and find out you have lost. Lost the ability to stand up, lost the ability to tie your shoe laces because back pain is now too severe. Or lost to the point where you need to spend more time and money seeking help … when doing things sensibly could have helped you ease your pain.n

Back pain statistics are frightening; my advice is not to make these worse. Learn to remove your back pain and avoid the 3 most common causes of aggravation – sudden movement, bed rest, over exercise.