Hello everyone, Dr. Renne here to talk about how you can reduce back pain in your everyday routine.
If you're someone who is living with chronic back or neck pain, your daily routine can get pretty complicated — appointments, insurance paperwork, time off work, treatment regimens to follow, etc. While these are important aspects of managing your pain and recovery process, there are simple things you can do (or avoid doing) every day to help your condition. Good posture and body mechanics (the way you perform your activities all day, everyday) can leave you feeling more like yourself at the end of your day!
Support your spine while sitting at your desk or in your car
Sitting for prolonged periods of time can be a major cause of back pain. Sitting is a static posture, which can add a tremendous amount of pressure to the back muscles and spinal discs. Even worse is sitting in a slouched-over or slouched-down position! This can overstretch the spinal ligaments and increase the pressure on your spinal discs.
Sitting with your back relatively straight and with good support is essential to minimize the strain on your back. You need to provide your lower back with support for the inward curve of the lumbar spine, especially when you sit for prolonged periods of time. Here are a few tips for good posture and support for your lower spine while sitting at a desk or while driving:
- Make sure your chair is set up so your knees are bent at about a 90° angle. Two fingers should slip easily between the bottom of your thigh and the chair.
- The backrest of your chair should push your lower back forward slightly. If it doesn’t, try placing a small pillow, rolled up towel, or orthopedic support on your chair.
- Your buttocks should be pressed against the back of the chair, and your back should be straight.
- It's a good idea to have arm rests on your office chair that place your elbows at a 90-degree angle.
- Place some support under your feet to elevate them slightly and take some of the load off of your lower spine. Sit with your knees slightly higher than your hips to eliminate much of the pressure on your lumbar spine.
- Don’t sit on anything that would throw your spine out of alignment. (Take that wallet out of your back pocket!)
- Don't slouch or slump in your office or car seat—this puts extra pressure on your spine and stress on the lumbar discs. Use the back of the chair to provide support for your back.
- Sit up straight and keep your chin pulled in (avoid keeping your chin and head thrust forward).
- Sit as close to your desk as possible.
- Your computer screen or reading materials should be at eye level.
Some people prefer furniture that promotes more muscle activity, such as a Swedish kneeling chair, standing desk, or a Swiss exercise ball, rather than a chair that provides complete support. Purchasing a good ergonomic office chair that provides optimal back support may also be helpful.
On the phone a lot? Consider investing in a headset to take the strain off your neck, or try using the speakerphone. Avoid cradling the phone on your shoulder.
If you are in a great deal of pain, try to avoid driving. If possible, have someone else drive, and lie down in the back seat with your knees slightly bent. You can place a blanket or pillow under your knees to support them, as well as a small pillow under your head.
Move about during the day
A healthy body can only tolerate staying in one position for relatively short periods of time. You may have noticed this on an airplane, at your desk, or at a movie theater when sitting is uncomfortable after just a short time. Even with correct posture, holding the same position slowly takes the elasticity out of the tissues; over time, stress builds up and causes discomfort. This is normal!
Keep your joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons loose by moving about and stretching on a regular basis throughout the day:
Stand up while talking on the phone. Try standing with one foot slightly in front of the other, or placing one foot on something a few inches off the ground; avoid standing straight with your knees locked.
Stretch your hamstrings twice each day. To help you remember to do this on a regular basis, link the stretching to a part of your daily routine, such as when you brush your teeth in the morning and evening, or when you first get to work and before you head home. Flexible hamstrings will significantly reduce the stress on your lower back.
When you return to your seat after moving around, use an alternate posture for just a few moments and some of the tissue elasticity needed to protect your joints will return.
Paying attention to your posture and movement throughout the day and while sleeping at night will help you manage your pain and maintain good spine health.
If you would like to talk with us about how you might improve your posture and support your back in your everyday activities, give us a call at (904) 398-4860.
Yours in health,
Dr. Christopher B. Renne
Chiropractic Physician
4111 Atlantic Boulevard
Jacksonville, Fl. 32207
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