Don’t Let Your Back Get Back on You! — Habits that Ruin Your Back

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Back pain can be debilitating when it strikes. It can keep you from doing various tasks at home or in the office, whether standing up or sitting down. This is the reason why you should take very good care of your back by avoiding a sedentary lifestyle and having a diet packed with nutrients that strengthen the muscles and bones.

There are certain habits that can wreak havoc on your back. It’s a good idea to quit them now and don’t wait for the day that your back gets back on you by aching all the time and keeping you from engaging in various physical activities. Check which among the following you are guilty of and start scrapping them off your life:

Not Exercising Regularly

Working out on a regular basis helps keep excess pounds at bay. Having too much fat especially in the abdominal area is definitely bad for the back, in particular the lower section. Walking, bicycling and swimming are some examples of exercises that are good for your spine. In fact, mild to moderate exercising can be very beneficial for lower back pain sufferers.

Cigarette Smoking

Don’t think that smoking is bad for your lungs and heart only. This habit is also damaging to the back. That’s because smoking hinders blood circulation in the spine, keeping those discs between vertebrae from getting all the water, nutrients and oxygen they need. Also, nicotine in cigarette can weaken the bones of the spine and those elsewhere in the body.

Getting Insufficient Sleep

Experts say that you should get 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night for optimum health. Spending enough time in dreamland is also good for the back. It allows your spine to take a break from all the weight it has to support throughout the day. Lack of sleep can also lower your pain tolerance, thus making any existing back pain seem extra harder to endure.

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Failure to Effectively Manage Stress

Did you notice that you suffer from neck and back pain more on days that you’re really stressed? That’s because stress can cause your muscles to be constantly tensed, including most especially the ones in your back. Also, you tend to forego having proper posture when you’re in a constant state of worry, thus leaving you with an achy back after some time.

Having Bad Posture

Nothing can wreak havoc to the back more than a bad posture. Whether you’re sitting, standing still or walking, maintaining a straight back is good for the spine. Poor posture is linked to all sorts of problems related to the spinal column such as chronic neck pain and degenerative disc disease. Stand and sit like you’re confident to keep an achy back at bay.

Using Trendy Footwear

Believe it or not, what you wear on your foot can have a say on your spine health. For instance, high heels cause your back to arch, causing the muscles supporting the spine to work extra hard. Backless footwear like flip-flops may cause an uneven distribution of body weight. If you can’t say no to trendy footwear, use them minimally or don’t walk great distances in them.

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