Health & Fitness

5 Ways to Prevent Lower Back Pain

Now that more and more people are working from home (often in front of their computers), back pain has become a very common issue for many adults. Sitting hunched over your phone or computer for hours on end takes a toll on your spine and back muscles, particularly in your lower back. Over time, if you fail to take counteractive measures, you may be stuck with lower back pain and poor posture for life. Fortunately, there are ways to reverse lower back pain and even avoid the issue entirely. So, in today’s guide, we’re going to help you out with 5 ways to prevent lower back pain!

5 Ways to Prevent Lower Back Pain
Photo by Yan Krukau

Avoid Heavy Lifting

Minor injuries from lifting heavy objects often cause pain in the lower back. While you may not be able to completely avoid lifting things, you can make an effort to avoid unnecessary heavy lifting. For example, if you’re moving into a new home, consider getting help from professionals like Black Tie Moving. This way, you won’t throw your back out trying to load furniture onto the moving truck!

Practice Good Posture

As previously mentioned, phones and computers are two of the main reasons people have bad posture these days. Looking down at a laptop or cell phone puts a lot of strain on your neck and shoulders, as well as your upper and lower back. If you make a conscious decision to sit up straight, reduce your phone time, and generally keep your back straight as often as possible, you could greatly reduce the risk of back pain in the future.

Do Low-Intensity Muscle Workouts

Many people who don’t exercise much end up with weak muscles in the lower back. When this happens, it makes it harder to do simple tasks without causing injury. To avoid weak back muscles, start doing low-intensity workouts to build up your back muscles at least two times per week. Over an extended period of time, you’ll notice a substantial difference in the way your back looks and feels!

Eat Anti-Inflammatory Foods

While diet cannot completely cure issues in your back, the right foods can help your body fight off pain before it starts. More specifically, anti-inflammatory foods like kale, spinach, and broccoli are all great additions to your diet. And you don’t have to completely change your diet either. Just do your best to include these foods in a couple of meals every week.

Invest In Ergonomic Desk Chairs

If you spend a lot of time sitting in front of a desk (as many people do), you should definitely invest in the right chair. Poorly designed chairs can worsen posture and increase the chances of experiencing lower back pain. So, invest in an ergonomic desk chair that will help you maintain good posture while you work and avoid lower back pain for as long as possible!

Did you like this guide on 5 ways to prevent lower back pain? If so, be sure to check out some of our other articles on Dot Com Women today!