Gardening is one of the joys of life for many of us, but back pain can throw a wrench into the best-laid planting plans. That doesn’t mean you need to cross gardening off your list. With a few adaptations and a dash of creativity, you can still exercise that green thumb by following these 11 strategies for minimizing injury.
Low back injuries often restrict movement and lead to the weakening of low back muscles. Exercise balls are a great option for a gentle core-strengthening program that can stabilize the muscles surrounding the spine and help prevent future injury. One of the simplest ways to incorporate an exercise ball into your routine is just to practice sitting on it. Sitting on the ball activates the core muscles required to maintain balance. If you are having trouble balancing, deflate the ball a little for added stability. If your balance feels good, try replacing your office chair with an exercise ball or sitting on the ball while watching television. Besides working your core muscles, the ball also reduces stress on the spine.
When other pain treatments have failed, spinal cord stimulation may be an option - Spinal cord stimulation is a procedure that delivers low-level electrical signals to the spinal cord or to specific nerves to block pain signals from reaching the brain. What Happens During the Spinal Cord Stimulation? During spinal cord stimulation, a device that delivers the electrical signals is implanted in the body through a needle placed in the back near the spinal cord. A small incision is then made to place the pulse generator in the upper buttock. The patient may turn the current off and on or adjust the intensity of the signals. Some devices cause what’s described as a pleasant, tingling sensation while others do not.
Swimming is an excellent form of low-impact aerobic conditioning that is easy on your back and spine. The buoyancy of the water supports your body's weight, reducing stress on your joints and spine and allowing for a greater range of motion. However, as with all forms of exercise, you need to be careful if you swim for exercise. Many strokes and maneuvers in the pool can actually make your lower back or neck condition worse. Read on to learn about the Do's and Don'ts of swimming if you have back pain.
The best back pain treatments in the world won't do much good if your diagnosis is not correct. Causes and treatments for back pain involve a surprisingly complex set of factors, and unfortunately, the experts don't agree on many aspects of back pain. That's why it's important that you continue to educate yourself on your own condition and treatment program—as no one is more motivated to manage your condition than you.
The Truth About Back Pain - It might be a sharp stab. It might be a dull ache. Sooner or later, 8 out of 10 of us will have back pain. And back pain myths are almost as common. Let's set the record straight about what you may have heard.
Myth: Always Sit Up Straight - Slouching is bad. But sitting up too straight and still for long periods can also be a strain on your back. Take breaks a few times a day: Lean back in your chair with your feet on the floor and let your back curve slightly. Even better: Try standing for part of the day, perhaps while you're on the phone or reading.
The marvelous strength and flexibility that's engineered into your lower back also make it susceptible to developing lots of problems. And because of the many nerves that run throughout the spine and into the rest of your body, a problem in the lower back can lead to leg pain, hip problems and more.
Why is Your Lower Back So Prone to Injury?
The lower back is subject to injury while lifting a heavy object, twisting, or a sudden movement—any of which can cause muscles or ligaments to stretch or develop microscopic tears. Over time, poor posture or repetitive stress can also lease to muscle strain or other soft tissue problems.
When back pain won’t go away, your doctor will consider all the treatments that could help you, from exercise and physical therapy to medication. Part of that may include injections to ease your back pain and inflammation. These shots usually consist of a steroid and a numbing medicine. Keep in mind that while these shots help some people, not everyone gets the same relief.
You may get different answers to this question, depending on who you ask. It is true that herniated disc symptoms can subside over time even without medical intervention. But does that mean the herniated disc has healed on its own? As with so many things, the answer is incomplete. Yes, your symptoms may resolve, but this does not necessarily mean the herniated disc itself has healed.
Spinal anatomy is a remarkably intricate structure of strong bones, flexible ligaments and tendons, extensive muscles, and highly sensitive nerves and nerve roots. We often don't think about their form and function, though, until they become a source of pain. Without question, the composition and function of the spine is a marvel of nature, providing us with a unique combination of:
1. Protection for the spinal cord and nerve roots to safely relay messages to and from the brain and the rest of the body. 2 Shock absorption, accepting jolts and stress as we move about 3 Flexibility, especially in the lower back and neck, allowing us to bend and twist in a full variety of movements 4. The strength provided by the bones, discs, joints, and supporting muscles and connective tissue that allows us to stand upright and move about with precision
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