Summary -

Preventing back pain is the ideal approach to dealing with this problem. If back pain does strike, there are many non-invasive means of treating it.

The stress and strain of daily life can lead to both muscle fatigue and back pain. Employing a program designed to prevent back problems is the first step for controlling back pain. Unfortunately, even the best preventive measures do not always work. If back pain strikes, many drug-free, non-invasive procedures are available to help relieve back pain.

Preventing Back Pain -

A regimen of daily stretching, exercise, and proper diet makes a tremendous impact on the prevention of back pain. Each of these, individually, is an excellent preventative measure, but when used in combination with one another, they form a foundation for a good health as well as prevention.

" Stretching - Always stretch prior to exercise in order to prepare the muscles and other soft tissue for the activity ahead. Because stretching helps promote flexibility and maintain range of motion, it should be a part of any daily routine.

" Exercise - To help prevent back pain, an exercise program should target both back muscles and abdominal muscles equally. Correct posture relies on both muscle groups working in concert with each other. When one group is weaker or less developed than the other, it places strain on the other, resulting in the body falling into misalignment.

" Diet - Proper diet and nutrition are essential for maintaining the correct weight. When someone is overweight, the accumulation of fat in the abdomen pulls the trunk forward, and the back muscles have to compensate, and so they must work harder to keep the body upright. Because of this, the muscles tire more quickly and can tense up and spasm, causing pain in the muscle itself or pulling the vertebrae and their discs out of alignment.

Treating Back Pain -

When back pain strikes, there are many effective non-invasive treatments available. They may be utilized individually or in different combinations to help relieve the pain and correct underlying causes. A qualified healthcare professional will guide you through the options and explain the benefits of each of the treatments.

" Spinal manipulation corrects improper vertebrae alignment (or sublaxation) to restore the range of motion in the back and to reduce nerve irritation. This type of treatment is most effective when used early in the treatment of back pain.

" Mobilization is another form of spinal manipulation, but is concerned with stretching the muscles and other soft tissue and joints in order to increase the range of motion.

" Exercise is used to increase muscle conditioning and strength and restore range of motion. Also, exercises that target abdominal muscles are also incorporated to help relieve stress on back muscles and to help improve posture.

" Pelvic Stabilization incorporates the use of heel lifts in shoes or corrective arch supports to improve posture and stabilize the pelvis.

" Life-style modification focuses on weight control, nutrition, and self-care programs to address back problems and the pain these problems cause.

" Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression is used to treat disc injuries in the lower back and neck and lessen pressure on nerves.