Prevention of Back Pain

An unhealthy back often originates from an unhealthy habit like poor posture. In addition, repeated or continuous standing, sitting, or bending causes wear and tear on the joints and muscles of the spine and can lead to painful conditions. To prevent back pain, you must keep the spine healthy by correcting posture and utilizing proper body mechanics in all the activities you perform. Movement is essential in maintaining a healthy back, but the movement must be the right amount and in the right way.

Proper posture and good body mechanics are the keys to safe movement. You must remember that your spine bears your weight throughout the day, in every motion you perform. Therefore, you must learn the positions that place excess stress on your spine, causing pain or fatigue. Avoid or limit the amount of time in those positions, and strive to maintain the three normal curves of the spine (see the anatomy series on this site) in the correct positions to limit the wear and tear on your spine and its supporting structures.