Hey kids! What’s worse than being forced to watch “The Hills”? I know, I know!!! Being told over and over again by your parents to stand up straight… And you know what… They’re right. As much as it sucks to admit your parents are right, sometimes, this is a bit of advice that actually can save you some big time pain.
Everyone eventually gets back pain. Some people get it quicker than others and trust me… Back pain really really sucks. It’s not like what you think it is. It’s not like what you see on TV and it’s a lot more than your back. When you get back pain, sometimes it only affects your back. Sometimes, it gets much worse and can travel to you legs. Yes, it does travel to your legs and that is just part of the freakiness.
So how does this happen? Believe it or not, when you slouch, you are forcing your spinal disks backwards toward your spine. When you stand up straight, you distribute your weight equally on your disk and it stays centered. So standing up straight helps, but that’s not the only thing that helps your back. Believe it or not, exercise actually helps. Now, if you’re lifting 200 lbs over your head, your going to mess up your back no matter what! But, if you use a treadmill, do some pull-ups, your actually helping your back!
For those of us who work in an office and are already doomed, like me, there are some things you can do. Check out this website for some good exercises you can do to strengthen your back: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/back-pain/LB00001_D&slide=1
Hey, if you have any tips, share your wisdom and let the world know! Save your back!!!
Stretching! It’s usually a little awkward in the office to drop to the floor and start doing some Pilates. However, I typically can get away with some stretching; every hour or so I try to get out of my chair, wander around and do a couple of stretches.