The Gist About Discs - Part 2

5/29/2018

In part one of our DISCussion on discs, we talked about the causes of disc pain. In part two, we will address how to minimize the potential for damage and ways to maintain spinal lordosis - the natural inward curve of the low back.

​Prevention is Best!

​Ideally, you want to stop back pain from developing by taking some simple steps to reduce strain to your back.

​Many chairs don't offer sufficient support for your lower back. Even well-designed chairs can be used improperly. For example, most people sit in the middle of the seat and then slouch backward against the back support. It is important to maintain the natural lordosis in your lower back while sitting.

• You can use a specially designed lumbar support that can be attached to your chair or simply roll up a medium-sized towel and place it between your lower back and the backrest of your seat.
• You can also stand up regularly, put your hands on the back of your hips, and bend forward five or six times. Remember the 20/20 rule - take a twenty-second break at least every twenty minutes to stand up, stretch out, and take a couple of deep breaths.

​Many activities around the home like gardening, making the bed, and vacuuming cause you to stoop forward.

• Make sure that you stand upright occasionally and bend backward to relieve the strain on the back ligaments.
• If you are doing any lifting, make sure to keep your back straight and bend from your hips and knees.

In the event that your back starts hurting, stop what you're doing if possible, and be sure to see us right away. We should be able to help you out or refer you to a qualified medical professional based on our assessment.