Nowadays back pain is a most common problem & main causes of this problem are bad posture, strain or bruising of muscles; sprain or injury to ligaments; osteoporosis, arthritis, slipped disc, using back muscles in activities to which you are not used to, like lifting heavy weight, twisting while lifting, & regular use of high heels. Another reason of back pain is desk job i.e. sitting for hours before computers where you unconsciously slump into odd positions or twist your backs frequently while trying to reach for something behind or beside you, or stretch forward too far; too fast.
Tips for preventing back strain
•Do not bend to lift weight or any object from the floor & avoid twisting your body while lifting.
•Do not pull heavy objects; always push to move the objects.
•Do not sit long hours continuously at your desk or to drive any vehicle, always break up the time & stretch your body.
•Wear flat shoes or shoes with low heels.
•Exercise regularly. An inactive lifestyle contributes to lower back pain.
•Do not over exercise & lift heavy weight with jerk.
Precautions while suffering from backache
•Always lift an object by bending your knees and squatting to pick up the object. Keep your back straight and hold the object close to your body.
•Always sit in chairs with straight backs or low-back support while reading or working on computers. Keep your knees a little higher than your hips. Adjust the seat or use a low stool to prop your feet on.
•Always turn by moving your whole body rather than by twisting at your waist while trying to reach or pick up anything.
•Always get out of your bed after moving sideways instead of getting up straight.
• If you have to stand long hours than always keep one foot higher than the other & change your foot after every 15-20 minutes to relieve pressure on your lower back . You should also maintain good posture by keeping your shoulders & hips in straight line with your head up & stomach pulled in.
Exercises & asanas to relieve from back pain
Asanas & exercises are very effective for all types of back pain (lower back or upper back pain) but before starting exercises or yoga you should understand structure of human spine & possible causes of back pain. Human body depends on the spinal column for structural stability and mobility. Spine provides the necessary support to bend, twist or move around. The spinal column is has 24 vertebrae which are placed one on another from the skull to the pelvis. The spinal column is tightly wrapped by muscles and ligaments. Any type of injury in these muscles or ligaments can result in pain.
Exercises/asanas for back pain are safe & free from side effects & are effective if pain is caused by an improper posture or sudden movements, jerks or is accompanied by bowel or bladder control problems. Ardh Pawan mukt asan, Shalabh asana, Tada asan, Markat asan, Bhujang asan & Makar asan are very effective in curing back pain.
