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The muscles, nerves, and ligaments near the spine provide support to the rest of the body. Keeping our backs healthy can increase the overall quality of health for our bodies. And the best way to keep our backs healthy is to prevent any damage from occurring in the first place.

Here are a few ways to prevent any spine injuries from occurring:

Give Your Spine Some Rest

In order to get a good night’s rest, you need to make sure that your mattress and pillows are the right fit. Research shows that a medium firm mattress will reduce chronic lower back pain.

Sit Properly

For those of us who have a job that requires us to sit most of the day, our backs will often pay the price. Fortunately, there are several steps that we can take to ensure that our backs remain cared for throughout our long days of sitting at a desk. These steps include:

• Keep your feet supported.
• Make sure your knees and hips are always at the same level.
• Monitors should be at a comfortable arm’s length.
• Sitting positions should keep spine straight and involve no neck strain.

Stay Healthy

Our spines require a healthy weight in order to function best. Too much excess weight can cause significant pain and long-term damage. Including a fitness routine that includes stretching and aerobic exercise increases our resistance to injuries.

Correct Lifting Techniques

Incorrect lifting techniques can lead to strains in the spinal muscles, ruptures in the discs, or a locking of the spinal joints. Steps in lifting correctly include:

• Bend at the legs instead of the waist or back.
• Make your stance wide.
• Keep the package as close to you as possible.
• Chests should be forward at all times.
• Never twist.

At Orthopaedic Specialty Group, we offer a wide variety of treatments to help our patients. Contact us today to schedule your appointment (203) 337-2600!