LIVEWELL MINUTE: Lower Back Pain
If you ve ever experienced low back pain, you know how difficult and painful everyday tasks can become. Unfortunately, nearly 90 percent of adults in the U.S. experience back pain at some point in their life.
Dr. Alison Foughty, Chiropractor, UnityPoint Health tells us ”If you have low back pain you’re not alone. Low back pain is the fifth leading cause of all physicians visits.”
Dr. Foughty suggests the following tips to avoid lower back pain:
- If you smoke, stop. Smoking destroys the small blood vessels that nourish the bones and cartilage of the lower spine.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Begin a stretching and strengthening routine for the abdominals and lower back.
- Warm up with gentle stretches prior to any exertion.
If you’re having an episode of low back pain it’s best to:
- Avoid sitting;
- It’s good to decrease your activity, but avoid complete bed rest;
- You might want to try some ice or topical on the area to decrease the pain.
“You may want to consider seeking the advice of a professional, ” says Dr. Foughty. ”It can help you recover more quickly and prevent further injury. Always seek professional help if the pain lasts more than a week or is accompanied by any other symptoms.”
