10 Tips for a Healthy Back

Here are 10 tips for keeping your back healthy from knowyourback.org:

1. Standing: Keeping one foot forward of the other, with knees slightly bent, takes the pressure off your low back. 
2. Sitting: Sitting with your knees slightly higher than your hips provides good low back support. 
3. Reaching: Stand on a stool to reach things that are above your shoulder level. 
4. Moving Heavy Items:  Pushing is easier on your back than pulling. Use your arms and legs to start the push. If you must lift a heavy item, get someone to help you. 
5. Lifting: Kneel down on one knee with the other foot flat on the floor as near as possible to the item you are lifting. Lift with your legs, not your back, keeping the object close to your body at all times. 
6. Carrying: Two small objects (one in either hand) may be easier to handle than one large one. If you must carry one large object, keep it close to your body. 
7. Sleeping: Sleeping on your back puts 55 lbs. of pressure on your spine. Putting a couple of pillows under your knees cuts the pressure in half. Lying on your side with a pillow between your knees also reduces the pressure. 
8. Control Your Weight:  Additional weight puts a strain on your back. Keep within 10 lbs. of your ideal weight for a healthier back.
9. Quit Smoking:  Smokers are more prone to back pain than nonsmokers because nicotine restricts the flow of blood to the discs that cushion your vertebrae. 
10. Minor Back Pain:  Treat minor back pain with anti-inflammatories and gentle stretching, followed by an ice pack.

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