One of the most common complaints today is back pain, and doctors say more people are prone than others because of their lifestyle. For example, the risk factors increase for office workers who spend lots of time sitting at a desk, but a sedentary lifestyle is the prevalent cause.
Age-Related Back Problems
Over time, the structures that make up the spine become worn out. This can lead to the onset of pains in the neck or back. Because of this deterioration, resulting from age, older people are more prone to back pain than younger ones. In fact, older people typically consult experts for herniated disc treatment sarasota fl physicians say.
What Is a Herniated Disc?
The spine contains several inter-vertebral disks inserted between the bones, which act as pads to absorb shocks when performing normal daily activities. Herniated discs, also referred to as bulging discs, occur when the spine is subjected to excessive stress. As a result, the disc begins to weaken, and the surrounding vertebrae start to have more pressure on the nerves. All this often causes pain.
Doctors say, more than anything, herniated discs occur from lack of movement. Lack of exercise increases the risk of suffering from back pain, especially low back pain. Moreover, the lack of physical tone reduces mobility, slows down the recovery process, and promotes the appearance of acute pain and relapses. Exercises that can help prevent back pain are, for example, yoga and Pilates that focus on elongation and reinforcement, and help increase stability in the muscles of the trunk.
Health professionals agree that moderate aerobic exercise can reduce risks of back problems. This type of training increases blood flow in the back, strengthening muscles that can help in healing. it also improves balance, strength and flexibility, which help to avoid injuries. Additionally, low impact exercises, like swimming, walking, and cycling can help to alleviate already existing lumbar pain.
Maintain Normal Body Weight
Being overweight is another risk factor related to the increased pressure that the spine must sustain, especially in the lower back and other joints, such as the knees. When you’re overweight, the skeletal system requires extra effort to maintain all that pressure. The priority is to exercise regularly to maintain a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI).
Exercise must be supported by a healthy lifestyle, including nutrition. Do not skip meals, especially breakfast. By giving up meals, you only increase the desire for a binge as soon as you get the chance and slow down your metabolism. Consume plenty of fruits and vegetables, and carbohydrates like brown rice, healthy fats like nuts, fish, lean proteins like chicken, turkey or eggs. Also eats foods that contain calcium, to strengthen bones.
Also, eat appropriate portions. According to nutritionists, the standard meat portion should be the approximate size of a large deck of cards; fats must be about two dice in size, while carbohydrates should not exceed the volume of a hockey puck.
Over time the risk of developing back pain increases or an existing problem tends to gets worse, so being proactive and taking steps to improve your health will diminish the risks of having these health problems later in life.
