How to Avoid Back Pain

Image by Wonderlane via Flickr

• Try to maintain your spine’s normal curves.

• Get a good desk chair and sit straight up; don’t slump.

• If you work at a computer, be sure the screen is at eye-level.

• Your chair should support you as you lean forward.

• Don’t stay in the same position for very long periods of time.

• Get up and stretch, and walk around every hour or so.

• To lift something from the floor, get close to the object, bend your knees, and bend your hips. Don’t arch your back and stretch.

• To reach a high shelf, put your feet in a staggered stance (one foot in front of the other), then push off your back foot onto your forward foot as you reach up, keeping your hips and shoulders in line.

• To get out of a chair or couch, slide forward to the edge of the seat, and use your legs and arms to lift your body up.

• If you read in bed, place pillows under the small of your back and behind your neck so you can recline, not slump.

• When unloading your dishwasher, pivot on your feet so that you keep your hips and shoulders in line, and bend at the knees and hips.