Thinking About Corrective Exercises

Back problems are a huge medical problem in society today. So many people in the world have back issues, and many of them do not know how to prevent further damage to their backs properly. This issue is very close to me because my mother has been suffering from major back problems for the past several years, and I witness the complications she suffers from every single day. As I am interested in pursuing a career as a physician, I am really intrigued by the underlying factors behind back pain. I also understand that understanding the causes of back pain can help to determine a good course of action to relieve the pain.

Three common ways by which people may develop back problems are lifting objects in an improper way, lack of consistent exercise routines, and spending too much time in front of screens. Many people do not use the proper process to lift a heavy object. Because they may not know the correct way to do so, they may intuitively lift it without understanding the magnitude of damage it can cause to their backs. The way to prevent this from causing back pain in the future is by ensuring that one bends his or her knees while lifting and not bend down at the waist. This puts less pressure on a person's back. Also, holding the object close to the body and not twisting or turning the body during the lifting process can help alleviate some tension in the back.

Another way people may develop back pain is by not consistently exercising. This means that they do not have a daily or weekly routine of physical activity, and because of this, their bodies are not in shape for slightly more strenuous activities. Even a small activity such as bending over quickly to pick up an object can hurt someone's back excessively. The way to prevent this is by staying in shape and keeping up a consistent exercise regimen. The consistency is the most important part of this. This will help to keep the back ready for some daily strain. Small exercises, such as doing yoga for a few minutes every morning or just stretching on a ball can help back pain a lot. By keeping in shape, a person can avoid a lot of the back pain that strenuous daily activities causes.

Spending a lot of time in front of computer, tablet, phone, and other screens are a key reason for a lot of back problems. Granted, students and working adults alike encounter situations in which they are obligated to face computers, but additional back strain can be caused by excessive computer use and use of other screens. According to a recent study by Temple University, the use of such technology is actually causing more and more pain in the neck, shoulders, and back in recent times. Even though people may not notice it, they tend to lean forward and strain their backs when looking at the fine print on screens. The way to prevent back problems that stem from technology is by taking breaks once in a while using such technology. Taking a break to walk around and do something unrelated to technology every half hour or so could alleviate a lot of the excruciating back pain people experience. A support cushion that helps people sit straight in their chairs while using computers could also help.

A chiropractor, according to the Merriam Webster dictionary, is a professional who uses "a method of treating people who are sick or in pain by pushing and moving bones in the spine and joints" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). How exactly, however, does a chiropractor treat back pain, and what specific treatments could chiropractors use? Chiropractors can use treatment tools such as chiropractic adjustment, corrective exercises, and massage therapy (Arctic Chiropractic). Chiropractic adjustment, also called spinal or manual manipulation, involves a technique of manipulating abnormally functioning, stiff, or sore vertebrae by hand. The purpose of this is to improve irritation caused by nerves and ameliorate functioning of the spine. Even though this may be a little uncomfortable for patients, patients mostly feel pain relief.

Another form of treatment is corrective exercises. These corrective exercises consist of exercising weak body parts and trying to strengthen them. However, these exercises need to be specific to an individual's pain levels and tolerance. The same exercises do not work for all patients. Back exercises can really help to alleviate a lot of the pain, and it can really help to keep a back exercise routine. Additionally, exercising in a manner that does not hurt the back even more could help to alleviate even chronic back pain, which is back pain that persists for a long period of time and does not correspond to any injury anatomically.

A final form of treatment that chiropractors use is massage therapy. Massage therapy is a more conservative form of treatment, as it does not involve manipulation of the spine like chiropractic adjustment does. It can help relieve stiffness and soreness in a person's muscles and joints. Massage therapy also aims to improve circulation within the body, encouraging more mobility in muscles. The process of massage therapy helps relieve pain in superficial muscle layers, but still has a very alleviating effect. The main goal of massage therapy is to relieve pain and stress.

The results of severe back pain can be very detrimental, and the effects can even be crippling for some people. However, chiropractic practices aim to look at the positive aspects of treatment, and look to improving a patient's pain as well as attitude and outlook about the pain. The work that a chiropractor does is phenomenal, and it is absolutely incredible that chiropractors are able to help relieve a great amount of pain for so many people around the world with chronic back problems.