Having a Healthy Back in the Computer Era

The modern computer age has lessened a lot of the physical work that many people do, but has caused other health problems. Sitting at a desk and using a computer, or staring at your cell phone while hunched over has contributed to something known as forward head posture which has lead to many back problems. Other unhealthy life choices are also contributing to poor back posture such as being overweight which leads to pressure on your lower back. Finding ways to keep your back healthy can avoid the ill effects of back pain and help you to have a happy and healthy life.

Stay Trim and Exercise Regularly

As noted above, being overweight puts pressure on your back and making heal diet and exercise choices can reduce the pressure on your back. Manage the calories that you consume and regularly engage in aerobic exercise to be thinner and healthier and avoid putting pressure on your back.

Targeted strength exercises can help as well. Build up your core muscles such as your abs and back muscles with some simple exercises. Examples of targeted exercises to improve your core include planks, leg lifts, and crunches. Avoid the overly extreme back exercises which place added pressure on your bac and stick to working towards gradual improvements to your health and back. 

Observe Proper Posture

Posture is key towards maintaining back health. If you are uncertain as to the proper posture to maintain, visit a physical therapist or doctor to learn about the proper posture. Understand the situations where your back may not be properly aligned, such as when you are on the computer or while you are exercising, and find solutions to improve your posture during these situations.

Wrist lifts while on the computer or an ergonomic mouse can be a life changer for your posture. So can the proper chair and monitor height while on a desk computer. Avoiding using a laptop on your bed when you may experience posture problems. In addition use a proper mattress that is right for your body and watch how you sleep with side sleeping being less strenuous on your back.

Stop and Stretch

If you are working long hours at the office in front of a computer, then it is important to regularly stop and stretch in order to avoid putting pressure on your neck and back. Forward head posture results in your spine being out of alignment and puts pressure on nerves along your spine which may reverberate pain to your extremities and other parts of your body. Simply looking up at the ceiling in sets of ten, several times a day, can be effective at reversing forward head posture. Work this simple stretch into your daily routine can help to improve your posture and reduce pain. 

See a Doctor

If you are experiencing back pain at any point visit a professional doctor as opposed to a chiropractor who is not a licensed doctor. Orthopedics can identify problems with your spine and recommend exercises and treatments to reduce the pain that you have and avoid future back problems. 

Try to avoid more intrusive surgeries or treatments if possible and work towards achieving a total body solution. Exercise, stretching, massages, and cupping are all ways to reduce the pain associated with back problems without going to more extreme solutions which may cause more harm than good.

While the computer age may be placing pressure on your back, keeping your back healthy can help to avoid many of the back problems that will limit your life as you get older. Try the aforementioned solutions and avoid the problems with your back that cripple so many people in this day and age.