Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tips for Reducing Back Pain Caused by Driving
After hours of driving, even minor back pain can become unbearable. One way to ease some of the pain is to make frequent stops, stepping out of the car, and placing your hands on your hips and leaning backwards. Occasionally, however, this may not be enough to chase away the pain from driving.
Here are a few tips for reducing back pain that is caused by driving for a long period of time:
•Stretch out slowly in the morning. Avoid vigorous exercise because it is at this time that discs are most filled with fluid and especially prone to injury.
•If you are headed out the door for your commute, put your wallet in your breast pocket. The bulk of a wallet can press on the sciatic nerve when you sit and drive.
•If you use your mobile phone in the car, remember to use your wireless headset, don’t cradle the phone on your neck while you drive as it can increase your buildup of back and neck strain. Also, if your seat is too soft it could be adding more stress to your back.
•While you are driving, learn to recognize tension. Put on relaxing music. Try reducing muscle tension by stretching one leg and arm at a time.
•Park your car the farthest possible distance from where you work. The walk will do you and your back good, and it may be the only exercise you’ll grab before you begin the commute home again.
If you don’t have the benefit of a seat with lumbar support try these tips to help reduce the amount of stress on your lower back.
•Insert a small, rolled towel against the base of your spine. The towel should be placed at or slightly below the belt line. This will place the lumbar spine into a neutral position.
•Adjust the angle of your hips relative to your knees. Anytime you are in a sitting position and your knees are higher than your hips, your back will flex into a forward-bent position. A simple way to adjust your position is to place one or two folded towels underneath your buttocks, bringing your hips in line with your knees. It may feel awkward at first as you are higher in the seat, but it will also prevent you from having pain.
Portions of these tips were taken from Medical News Today and Zero Pain.
Here are a few tips for reducing back pain that is caused by driving for a long period of time:
•Stretch out slowly in the morning. Avoid vigorous exercise because it is at this time that discs are most filled with fluid and especially prone to injury.
•If you are headed out the door for your commute, put your wallet in your breast pocket. The bulk of a wallet can press on the sciatic nerve when you sit and drive.
•If you use your mobile phone in the car, remember to use your wireless headset, don’t cradle the phone on your neck while you drive as it can increase your buildup of back and neck strain. Also, if your seat is too soft it could be adding more stress to your back.
•While you are driving, learn to recognize tension. Put on relaxing music. Try reducing muscle tension by stretching one leg and arm at a time.
•Park your car the farthest possible distance from where you work. The walk will do you and your back good, and it may be the only exercise you’ll grab before you begin the commute home again.
If you don’t have the benefit of a seat with lumbar support try these tips to help reduce the amount of stress on your lower back.
•Insert a small, rolled towel against the base of your spine. The towel should be placed at or slightly below the belt line. This will place the lumbar spine into a neutral position.
•Adjust the angle of your hips relative to your knees. Anytime you are in a sitting position and your knees are higher than your hips, your back will flex into a forward-bent position. A simple way to adjust your position is to place one or two folded towels underneath your buttocks, bringing your hips in line with your knees. It may feel awkward at first as you are higher in the seat, but it will also prevent you from having pain.
Portions of these tips were taken from Medical News Today and Zero Pain.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Pregnancy and Low Back Pain
By her 9th month a pregnant woman has 13 pounds sitting on her pelvis. Chiropractic care can help alleviate this pressure and stress. We are a leading Northern Kentucky Chiropractic Office with the knowledge and experience in treating pregnant women with chiropractic care: www.nkychiropractor.com
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Everyday We're Shrinking......!
Humans don't just shrink with age. They shrink EVERY DAY.
Humans shrink and regain height daily, sometimes as much as 3/4 of an inch in one day. When we move throughout the day, the fluid disks in in our spinal column compress and we shrink. When we rest at night our backbones reabsorb the fluid and our height comes back.
As our bodies degenerate over time, our ability to grow back our height diminishes over time. This contributes to the loss of height that occurs as we age. It's not uncommon to lose two whole inches by the time we hit 60 years old.
Humans shrink and regain height daily, sometimes as much as 3/4 of an inch in one day. When we move throughout the day, the fluid disks in in our spinal column compress and we shrink. When we rest at night our backbones reabsorb the fluid and our height comes back.
As our bodies degenerate over time, our ability to grow back our height diminishes over time. This contributes to the loss of height that occurs as we age. It's not uncommon to lose two whole inches by the time we hit 60 years old.
Which do you Take Two at a Time?
"A Man's Health can be Judged by which he Takes Two at a Time - Pills or Stairs" ~Joan Welsh
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