Beating Back Pain

Do you suffer from back pain? If so, you aren't alone. At some point in their lives, 80 percent of all Americans will have some form of back pain. The symptoms of back pain include:

• Aching or stiffness along the spine.
• A persistent ache in the middle or lower back, particularly after you have been sitting or standing for a long time.
• Pain that radiates from the lower back into your legs (sciatica).
• Severe muscle spasms when standing straight.

Back pain can have many causes, but most back pain is caused by abuse. Most people do not care for their back properly or allow it to heal when they do hurt it. The result can be chronic pain and more serious injury.

Back pain is often associated with strenuous activity and improper posture, both of which can strain or damage muscles. Even everyday activities such as sitting, lifting, and carrying groceries can strain our back and cause muscle imbalances. Indeed, it has been found that most back pain is accompanied with muscle inflammation. Because soft tissue does not show up on a scan, the cause is often misdiagnosed, or the doctor declares that there is nothing physically wrong.

Diet can also play a role in the health of our back. Some foods can actually hinder the body's natural ability to heal itself, while others will foster this process.

There are 4 key components to a healthy back:

• Prevent nerves in your back from being pinched
• Practice good posture
• Develop muscle balance around your spine
• Provide your body with the nutrition and rest it needs to heal

While drugs can help mask the symptoms of back pain, they seldom address the cause. And, so long as the cause remains untreated, more damage can occur, creating more pain and reliance on medications. Fortunately there is a program that promotes healthy backs, addresses the cause of most back pain, and does not require expensive drugs.

This program was developed by NASA and is used by the United States Army to promote healthy backs in soldiers. You can learn more by clicking here.