Tips for Preventing Back Pain

Back pain interrupts life and takes the joy right out of living, turning a person into a pain in the neck. Pain can make us grouchy and can also disrupt our routine. Taking time off from work because of back pain isn’t the way most folks want to spend a day off.

Here are a few tips to help keep you ship-shape.

• Exercises help strengthen torso muscles which support the back. 
• Building stronger bodies with good nutrition is essential to health. 
• Practice good posture. 
• When sitting at a computer to keep feet flat on floor, knees lower than hips, computer screen at eye level, and stretch every half hour.
• Being aware of sleeping position, stretching, and taking care when lifting and bending - using the knees – not the back – are important to maintaining a pain free back.

Health A to Z deals with many aspects of back pain, including symptoms, ways to deal with it, and general information to help you through a painful time. The Mayo Clinic also has good information about dealing with back pain and muscle spasms.

Minor back pain involving muscles can often be remedied with rest along with cold therapy during the first 48 hours. Icing may help reduce swelling and thus pain. Moist heat therapy will help relax tight muscles, help circulation and flexibility. The Mayo Clinic has information on cold and heat therapies.

Maine Warmers sells moist heat packs that can be microwaved and used in any room in the house. No Back Warmers, Neck Warmers, in basic shapes and in animal shapes that make lovely get-well gifts.
wires, messy hot water bottles, or worry of falling asleep as with electric heating pads. Best of all – Maine Warmers' products can be frozen and used for gentle cold therapy. They go from the freezer to the microwave to the freezer again! Maine Warmers offers