5 Simple Habits to Help Relieve Back Pain

Back pain is a common problem. It is bothersome to have to deal with, especially when you have a lot to attend to. An aching back can also be a precursor to more troublesome health problems. With so much stress packed into a single work day, you can aggravate it even more. For your sake, take good care of your back. 

Below are five simple yet effective ways to help relieve back pain:

1.    Straighten Yourself Out

Slumping can alter your spine’s alignment and cause serious damage over time. Make sure to avoid slouching when standing up or slumping while sitting in your office chair. Straightening yourself out by observing good posture is the most important thing you can do to relieve back pain.

2.    Stretch it Out

Any athlete knows the importance of good stretching. It can do a lot of good for our bodies—especially as we grow older. Simple stretches can relieve the aching bones and muscles in your back.

3.    Raise Your Legs Slightly (When Sleeping)

Slightly elevating your legs can relieve pressure on your back. Placing a pillow under your knees is a good way to do this. As mentioned, it is all about relieving pressure; sleeping on your back can place up to about 55 pounds of pressure on it. Doing this simple trick can reduce that number to about half.

4.    Reduce Your Load

While improper posture is the most common cause of back pain, carrying heavy loads can serve to aggravate it. Try to reduce the burden on your back whenever possible and avoid heavy lifting unless absolutely necessary.

5.    Increase Your Calcium Intake

You already know that calcium is essential for healthy bones, but so is vitamin D. By increasing your intake, you strengthen your bones, making them better capable of taking heavier loads and longer amounts of strain.

At Peterson Chiropractic, we emphasize the importance of improving your health and reducing the risk of pain and illness. Contact us today; our team will be ready to answer your questions about your health and back care.

Peterson Chiropractic is led by Doctor Bradley Peterson, who grew up in Davis County and attended the University of Utah.