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Got back pain? Follow these tips

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By JACKIE SILVER Tribune correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 18, 2009

"Oh, my aching back."

We've all heard - and probably said - those words more times than we care to remember.

A report published in the British medical journal The Lancet found that more than a quarter of Americans suffer daily pain. Here are some tips to help avoid that pain and to combat it when it does occur.

1. Lose weight. Carrying around too much weight puts pressure on the knees, back and all joints in general. Research shows that overweight women who lost just 10 pounds greatly controlled the increase of osteoarthritis of the knees.

2. Try yoga. Research has shown that practicing yoga can alleviate chronic pain. "People suffering from chronic pain go through more than just the pain itself," explains Sonia Gaur of Harbor-UCLA Medical Center's department of psychology. "They contend with anxiety and depression as well as medication usage. Our yoga study found improvement in every area."

3. Check your posture. When you're standing, distribute your weight evenly on both legs, tuck in your stomach, relax your shoulders and don't stand in one position for too long. When you're sitting, don't sit on the edge of your seat (unless you're at a scary movie!); change positions frequently, keep your shoulders relaxed and use arm rests if they're available.

4. Take care when lifting heavy objects. It's recommended that you get a firm footing with legs shoulder-width apart, bend your knees and use your legs, not your back, to lift heavy objects. Avoid carrying the weight on one side of your body and try to get someone to help you whenever possible.

5. Remember the mind/body connection. Can what we think affect our bodies? According to researchers it can. WebMD.com reports that 75 percent to 90 percent of all doctor's visits are due to stress-related ailments and complaints. If stress is causing you pain, find ways to eliminate, or at least lessen, that stress. I recommend "The Mindbody Prescription: Healing the Body, Healing the Pain" by John Sarno, M.D.

You don't have to go through life in chronic pain. Try these tips and check with your doctor for ways to manage severe pain.

Jackie Silver is the founder and president of Aging Backwards LLC and author of "Aging Backwards: Secrets to Staying Young." Send your questions or comments to: jackie@agingbackwards.com or follow her on Twitter, @AgingBackwards. Sign up for her free news

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