Back Care and Improvement

Back pain impacts everything you can or may want to do in life. Our bodies are so dependent on our backs that pain can be debilitating. Fortunately there are many actions you can take to either lower the possibilities of disabling back pain or lessen the extent that existing back pain limits your life.

What can we do to keep our backs fit and healthy? What can we do to reduce the risks of developing back problems? How can we reduce the negative impacts of back pain in our lives? Attention to posture, physical activity, manual handling and good back care can be empowering tools for the individual.

A return to good posture is a positive beginning. This takes into account the proper alignment and functioning of all the back structures: muscles, tendons, vertebrae and ligaments. Here are a few tips:

1. Start at the bottom. If you have to be seated for an extended period, make sure that you are providing a sufficient base for your back to remain in its proper form. Feet flat on the floor and seat and thighs providing solid contact are ideal. This posture can be enhanced by the use of an ergonomic assistance such as EmbraceAir’s Inline Seating. Its use can significantly improve the comfort of many chairs and seats by cradling the buttocks and evenly distributing the body weight.

2. Ensure that your back is fully supported when seated for a long period of time. The comfort of chairs can be improved by the addition of support to the lower back, a lumbar roll. This can be of particular advantage for drivers. For basic lumbar support and positive seated back structure, try the basic EmbraceAir Embrace Plus, an economical option with an internal, vertically adjustable air support for lumbar comfort and the easing of pain. And consider the other lumbar-supporting options to accommodate individual needs.

3. A sleeping posture that maintains the alignment of the head and neck with the spine prevents strain. Consider the Solitude Water Pillow for head and neck sleep support that contours to your position and movement.