5 Proactive Ways to Maintain a Healthy Back

Excess weight:
One of the easiest suggestions to follow could also be among the most difficult for many Americans. Excess weight can take a serious toll on the back and body as a whole. Try carrying a 10 pound weight around all day and you might begin to understand the ill effects of excess weight gain.

Stress reduction:
Many people overlook the detrimental effects stress has on our bodies. Stress influences our physical well being in a multitude of ways. Stress unaided can cause back pain. Stress can induce the release of stress hormones, which intern cause the amplification of pain perception and muscle tension.

Abdominal strengthening:
This may come as a shock to some but your abdominals happen to be a very important core muscle group. Strengthening your abdominals is key when it comes to maintaining a healthy back.

Proper lifting technique:
This is probably the most obvious way to maintain a healthy back. Make sure you lift close to your body, feet should be shoulder width apart, bend your knees, lift with your legs and tighten your abdominal muscles.

Choosing the right mattress
Most of us spend a great deal of time in bed that is one reason choosing the right mattress is so important. It was once believed that buying a firm mattress would help to alleviate back pain. New studies show that people who slept on a medium-firm mattress were twice as likely to report improvements with low back pain compared to individuals who slept on firmer bedding.