Introduction

Back pain and back strains are among the most common injuries that people suffer from. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, back pain is the second most common type of pain that Americans experience. Back pain and strains can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor posture, lifting heavy objects, and being overweight. Fortunately, there are a number of things that you can do to reduce your risk of suffering from back pain or a back strain.

 

Causes of Back Pain and Strains

There are many different causes of back pain and strains. Poor posture, incorrect lifting techniques, and muscle imbalances are some of the most common causes. Other causes can include stress, arthritis, and herniated discs.

Most back pain is caused by muscle strains and spasms. These can be caused by incorrect lifting techniques, poor posture, or imbalances in the muscles. Muscle strains can also be caused by stress or overexertion.

Arthritis is a common cause of back pain in older adults. Arthritis is a degenerative disease that affects the joints. The most common type of arthritis that affects the back is osteoarthritis. This type of arthritis is characterized by the breakdown of cartilage in the joints. Osteoarthritis can cause pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the back.

Herniated discs are another common cause of back pain. A disc herniation occurs when the nucleus pulposus (the center of the disc) breaks through the annulus fibrosus (the outer layer of the disc). This can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the affected area.

 

How to Prevent Back Pain and Strains

 

Back pain is a common ailment that many people suffer from. It can be caused by a variety of factors, such as poor posture, lifting heavy objects, or sitting in one position for too long. There are some things you can do to prevent back pain and strains, such as exercising regularly, maintaining good posture, and avoiding lifting heavy objects.

 

Exercises

Regular exercise is an important part of preventing back pain and strains. While there are many different exercises that can help, some are better than others. Here are a few exercises that can help prevent back pain and strains:

1. pelvic tilts: This exercise helps strengthen the abdominal and back muscles. To do this exercise, lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Slowly tilt your pelvis up, then back down. Repeat 10 times.

2. bridges: This exercise helps strengthen the buttocks and leg muscles, which can take some of the strain off the back muscles. To do this exercise, lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Slowly lift your hips off the ground, then lower them back down. Repeat 10 times.

3. Superman: This exercise helps strengthen the muscles along the spine. To do this exercise, lie on your stomach with your arms out in front of you and legs straight behind you. Slowly lift your arms and legs off the ground, then lower them back down. Repeat 10 times.

4. wall sits: This exercise helps strengthen the leg muscles without putting too much strain on the back muscles. To do this exercise, stand with your back against a wall with your feet about shoulder-width apart. Slowly slide down the wall until your thighs are parallel to the ground, then hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute before slowly sliding back up the wall

 

Proper Lifting Techniques

In order to prevent back pain and strains, it is important to lift objects properly. When lifting, always use your legs, not your back. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart for balance, and bend your knees when lifting. Make sure to keep the object close to your body as you lift. If the object is too heavy or awkward to lift by yourself, ask for help. Use proper carry techniques when moving an object from one place to another. Hold the object close to your body and keep your elbows close to your sides. Do not twist your body when carrying an object; instead, turn your whole body in the direction you are moving.

 

Good Posture

 

Good posture is one of the most important things you can do to prevent back pain and strain. When sitting, standing, or working at a desk, be sure to keep your back straight and your shoulders squared. Avoid slouching or hunching over, as this can put undue strain on your spine. If you must sit for long periods of time, take breaks every so often to walk around and stretch your back and legs.

When lifting heavy objects, be sure to use proper form. Bend at your knees, not at your waist, and keep the object close to your body. Do not twist your body while lifting, and be careful not to overextend yourself. If an object is too heavy for you to lift safely on your own, ask for help.

In addition to good posture and proper lifting techniques, maintaining a healthy weight can also help reduce back pain and strain. Excess weight puts additional strain on your spine and muscles, which can lead to pain and injury. If you are carrying excess weight, talk to your doctor about ways to safely lose weight through diet and exercise.

 

Treatment for Back Pain and Strains

 

Back pain and strains can be caused by a number of things, including bad posture, sitting or standing for long periods of time, and lifting heavy objects. Treatment for back pain and strains usually involves a combination of rest, ice, and heat. You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. If your pain is severe, your doctor may prescribe stronger pain medication.

 

Ice

 

Ice is commonly used to treat back pain and strains. It helps by reducing inflammation and swelling. You can use ice for up to 72 hours after your injury. Put ice in a plastic bag and wrap it in a thin towel. Apply it to the injured area for 15 minutes, then remove it for 15 minutes. Repeat this cycle as often as necessary.

 

Heat

One of the best things you can do to treat back pain and strains is to apply heat. Heat helps to increase blood flow and relax muscles. It also helps to reduce inflammation. You can apply heat in a number of ways, including using a heating pad, taking a hot bath, or using a heat wrap.

 

Over-the-counter Medications

 

There are many different types of over-the-counter (OTC) medications that can be used to help relieve back pain and strains. The most common types of OTC medications include:

-Acetaminophen: This medication is often used to relieve pain from headaches, muscle aches, and menstrual cramps. It is also sometimes used to reduce fever. Acetaminophen is available in both liquid and pill form.

-Ibuprofen: This medication is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can be used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and reduce fever. Ibuprofen is available in both liquid and pill form.

-Naproxen: This medication is a NSAID that can be used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and reduce fever. Naproxen is only available in pill form.

If you are taking any other medications, it is important to talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any OTC medications for back pain or strains. Some OTC medications can interact with other medications you are taking and cause serious side effects.

 

When to See a Doctor or Health Professional

If you have any sudden or severe back pain, you should see a doctor right away. You should also see a doctor if your back pain is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:

- Weakness, numbness, or tingling in your legs
- Difficulty urinating or having a bowel movement
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- A fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit
- Weight loss

 

Alternative Treatments

 

Alternative treatments can include various exercises and home remedies or even help from a physical therapist.

 

Other treatments include things like tai chi, strength training, eating anti inflammatory foods, breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, bed rest, and relaxation techniques.

 

Home treatment regiment help improve posture, improve function, back alignment, reduce swelling, and help make your back muscles strong.

 

The key is to create a treatment plan to help you recover ease how long pain lasts.

 

Conclusion

We hope that this article has given you some useful tips on how to reduce back pain and back strains. Remember to always consult with a medical professional if you experience persistent pain, and to never attempt any type of self-treatment without first consulting with a doctor.

 

If you suffer from chronic back pain, acute back pain, muscle spasms, back pressure, or any other ailments of back irritation and you still need to get work done around the house like lawn mowing, fueling up your generator, chainsaw, motorcycle, sled, ATV, or other tools and toys we recommend using our PumpMatic Super Gas Pump.

 

The PumpMatic Super Gas Pump is fuel transfer pump that attaches to your jerry can to fuel up all your toys. It's perfect because you can fuel up from the ground so you don't have to lift heavy jerry cans which will prevent causing pain in your tight muscles, spinal cord, spinal canal, shoulders, abdominal muscles, core muscles, and more.

 

The Super Gas Pump allows you to continue to do physical activity and necessary work.

 

 

Take our friend Trapper for example. Trapper is 70 years old and still does a ton of work around his property. He uses his pump to fuel up his tractor and other toys. He loves it because he doesn't have to lift heavy jerry cans in the air for extended periods of time wasting fuel all over himself, his toys, and the ground.

 

The Super Gas Pump is great with helping reduce pain and muscle weakness. You can check it out by clicking here or the image below.