Millions of Americans suffer from back pain every year. In fact, experts estimate that over 80 percent of people will experience acute or chronic back problems at some point in their life. Even simple household chores such as vacuuming or doing the dishes can be severely painful for those suffering from debilitating back pain. Fortunately, there are workarounds to keep the pain at bay. At Bomberg Chiropractic, we want you to know how important it is to keep your spine healthy. That’s why we’ve put together this list of helpful tips to keep in mind when it’s your turn to do the dishes.
Maintain an Upright Posture
Bending over the kitchen sink can create excessive pressure on your spinal discs. In fact, according to Swiss researchers, standing in a forward-bent posture puts over ten times more pressure on your spine than lying flat. It’s even more impactful than slow running! While you might not imagine a simple task like washing dishes can be more detrimental than high-impact exercise, it’s true. To avoid exacerbating pain levels, it’s best to stand as upright as possible while doing household chores. To help cushion your feet and further prevent low back pain, you can also place a cushioned floor mat in front of your kitchen sink.
Build a Strong Core
Your core musculature provides support for your back; if your abdominal muscles are weak, your back muscles are forced to work overtime. When this occurs repeatedly, you end up with chronic back pain. To help ease back pain associated with weak core muscles, it’s a good idea to begin training your core regularly. Before attempting any new exercises, however, you should consult with a trained chiropractor. He or she can recommend the safest exercises that will strengthen your core, without exacerbating your current pain.
Hip Hinge When Bending
While standing straight is the best way to help avoid back pain, sometimes bending is unavoidable. If you must bend over, be sure to bend at the hips, not at the lower back. To bend at the hips, imagine your body is a hinge—from the hips upward is one half, and from the hips down is the other half. When you bend, push your hips back and keep your spine in a neutral position. If you notice you are rounding your back, take a moment to stand up straight and take a break. If your pain is truly bothersome, spinal decompression can provide relief.
Chiropractic Care in the Twin Cities Metro Area
If you’ve been suffering from back pain, it’s time to get some relief. At Bomberg Chiropractic, we know how limiting back and neck pain can be, and that’s why we’re here to help. Our experienced and caring staff are dedicated to providing our patients with the highest quality chiropractic care. We offer spinal decompression, lower back pain treatment, and other chiropractic care in the New Hope, Golden Valley, and Plymouth, MN area to help get you back on your feet and functioning at full speed. To find out more about our practice or to schedule an appointment or consultation, contact us at 763-450-1755, or you can message us at drb@bombergchiropractic.com.