Keywords
Search:

5 things to know about back pain

Keep your back healthy with nutrition tips and strengthening exercises.

By Pam Harrison

Habits that cause back pain
It's not just one major injury but many minor mis-movements over time that cause lower back pain. Here are other habits that can affect your back:

• Sitting for long periods of time can exacerbate a sore bck. Sitting
actually puts more compression on the disks in your back than standing "so
sitting is not necessarily a rest for your back," says Cathy Christie, a
physiotherpaist with Doug Christie Physiotherapy in Winnipeg MB.

• Carrying an overloaded backpack to and from school every day is another
source of low back pain.

• The wrong footwear -- stilletto heels for example -- can throw your spine out of alignment and contribute to lower back pain.

• In contrast, shoes that provide good support or help correct foot
problems reduce stress on the back and legs.

• Good cushioning in the soles of shoes absorb shock while walking or
running and protects the lower back.

More resources about back pain:

Low back pain
Risk factors and red flags

Nutritional strategies for back pain
Food choices may help to prevent and ease lower back pain

Exercises to help prevent back pain
A series of exercises to help strengthen and better utilize this overused and underdeveloped body part.

Living with chronic back pain
Pain management advice

Lower back pain: Rehab or surgery?
Physiotherapy may provide the benefits of surgery, without the negative aspects of an invasive procedure

Body Basic: No more pain in the back
Increase your flexibilty and back support with this easy exercise.

« Previous

Read more:
Nutritional strategies for back pain
Lower back pain: Rehab or surgery?
Exercise for good posture: Prevent back pain and increase your energy

Check out:
CanadianLiving.com Mind & Spirit
CanadianLiving.com Health

blog comments powered by Disqus

For inspired articles and ideas when you're on the go, get Canadian Living Mobile!
Access Canadian Living's smart solutions for everyday living anytime, anywhere -- and best of all, it's FREE! Get it now: visit m.canadianliving.com on your BlackBerry® or iPhone™.


Most popular videos

  • Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

    We've married our sumptuous butter chicken recipe with the ease of the slow cooker to create the ultimate Slow Cooker Butter Chicken. Food director Annabelle Waugh walks you through the steps in this video for a restaurant-worthy dinner every time.

  • Slow cooker pulled pork

    Watch how to create this tender, succulent pulled pork recipe with minimal effort and positive results every time.

  • 5 effective ab exercises

    Canadian Living fitness expert Pamela Mazzuca Prebeg shows you how to tone your abs with five exercises you can do at home.