Back Injuries
How can I prevent acute injuries to the back?
Back injuries are probably the most common thing for which people seek medical care. Almost 25 percent of every patient seeking medical care in an emergency room has to do with the lower back. The best way to prevent lower back injuries is learning how to lift, how to run and how to stretch. Lifting injuries are the most common cause of back injuries. Proper techniques for lifting to prevent back injuries are to lift with the legs and not the back - not bending from the waist to pick something up, but bending your knees and lifting by using from the big muscles of your thighs and legs to lift, as supposed to bending over. Don't reach out with the back, bring it close to you and then lift with your legs.
How can I prevent overuse injuries of the back?
The best way to prevent overuse injuries of the back is to get off the couch and begin to exercise and strengthen the core. The most common problem of the low back is obesity and loss of abdominal strength. We use our backs every day, and we are creatures of habit. The worst problem for most individuals is the way they ride in their car, or the type of chairs they sit in. Proper back hygiene means sitting, standing, and walking properly.
