- How old is that mattress you’ve been sleeping on? The image above shows the correct sleeping posture. Is your mattress still as good for you as the day you purchased it? Sleep is recuperative both physiologically and psychologically and encourages healing and repair, whereas sleep deficiency is linked to loss of work production, increased sick days, greater absenteeism, loss of efficiency, and higher injury rates. Researchers found that new bedding systems increased sleep quality and reduced back discomfort, factors that may be related to abatement of stress-related symptoms. While a new mattress is pricey, it is an investment. Consider your quality of sleep next time your back pain concerns you.
- Everyone today knows that sedentary lifestyles lead to increased health complications. Some of us have no choice but to sit at a desk for most of the day. UCLA research has identified that sitting for extended periods of time can be a major cause of back pain and add a tremendous amount of pressure to the back muscles and spinal discs. Be sure the embrace every chance you can to take a break from your desk. Consider setting alarms to get up and move around each hour. Standing desks are a great option, too.
- Farmers and truck drivers often have one thing in common: back pain. What could be the cause? A new study from the University of Iowa has found that heavy machine operators experience back pain more often due to vibrations of machines they operate. Researchers have found that spending frequent amount of time exposed to whole-body vibrations increase the frequency of back pain episodes.
So, what can you do if you’re already experiencing back pain? There are many options. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, aromatherapy, and laser treatment are a few of the holistic solutions
Some options you can consider on your own at home include yoga, tai chi, walking, hydrotherapy, and Pilates. Perhaps some exercise each day (like the World Health Organization suggests) might be just what the doctor ordered!