Knowing how to protect and preserve the natural curves of the spine can play a major role in the treatment and management of neck and back pain, as well as other related issues.

Back pain is a common ailment that most individuals experience and many simply make peace with it as part of their everyday lives.

The Importance of Protecting the Natural Curves of the Spine

A healthy spine has a natural S-shape when you view it from the side. This shape allows for even distribution of weight and promotes flexibility and movement. Our spines are one of the most important parts of our structural system.

Easily one of the most important curves to pay attention to is the lumbar curve, which sits close to the base of the spine.

Moving or sitting in ways that go against this natural curve can cause immense pressure on the spine itself which results in lower back pain which can later be referred into the legs, feet and pelvic region.

When it comes to knowing how to avoid back pain, understanding the importance of protecting and preserving the curves of the spine is crucial.

The 4 main curves of the spine are divided in the following way:

• Cervical Curve
  • Situated at the top of the spine
  • Consists of 8 vertebral segments
  • Responsible for sending signals to and from the neck, shoulder, arms, hands and areas of the head
• Thoracic Curve
  • Situated underneath the cervical curve
  • Consists of 12 vertebral segments
  • Responsible for sending signals to and from parts of the arm, front and back of the best and abdominal areas
• Lumbar Curve
  • Situated underneath the thoracic curve, just above the base of the spine
  • Consists of 5 vertebral segments
  • Responsible for sending signals to and from the legs, feet and certain pelvic organs
• Sacral Curve
  • Situated at the base of the spine
  • Consists of 5 vertebral segments
  • Responsible for sending signals to and from the lower back, buttocks, pelvic organ and some areas of the legs and feet

Back Pain Treatment

Treating lower back pain can often be an ongoing process, however, there are things we can do on a daily basis that can reduce the intensity of back pain we experience:

Core Strengthening Exercises

Strong core muscles provide support for your spine and can play a major role in reducing overall back pain.

Simple, low impact exercises such as sit-ups and planking can strengthen your core muscles.

Another way to strengthen your core is to keep your stomach muscles engaged as much as possible, whether you are sitting, standing or walking.

Check Your Posture

Bad posture is one of the biggest causes of back and neck pain as this generally means you are standing or sitting in ways that put pressure on the natural curves of the spine.

If you spend the majority of your day sitting, make sure you have adequate lumbar support and take the time to stand up and do some mild stretching throughout your day.

If you spend most of your day standing, make sure you have shoes that are comfortable and supportive and pay careful attention to how you distribute your weight.

In other words, don’t switch from one leg to the other, rather, stand with your feet hip-width apart with your weight evenly distributed.

In addition, make a mental note to check in with your shoulders to make sure you aren’t slouching over.

Using the Right Technique to Lift

Although we should try to avoid lifting heavy objects, this is not always possible. Therefore, when you're faced with having to lift something heavy, it’s important to do it properly.

Never bend over forward to lift something as this immediately places pressure on the lumbar curve and requires you to use your back muscles to do the lifting.

Instead, bend down in a squatting manner so that you are forced to use your leg muscles to lift the object. Your leg muscles are much bigger than your back muscles and you should be using this to your advantage.

Invest in a Quality Mattress

Soft or old mattresses provide little to no support for your back. In fact, these kinds of mattresses can place added stress on the spine, causing back pain and other issues.

Therefore, investing in a good quality mattress which is firm can provide the support your back needs to stay strong and free from pain.

If you're experiencing lower back pain, you can place a rolled-up towel or something similar under your lower back when you are lying on your back as this supports the lumbar curve and relieves the pressure on your spine.

Furthermore, if you prefer sleeping on your side, it’s advisable to place a firm pillow between your knees to prevent your spine from twisting forward.

Body Stress Release Cape Town

Our bodies have the ability to store tension in the muscles which can manifest in various ways, including lower and upper back pain, headaches and numbness in the legs, feet, and fingers.

Our daily habits can place added pressure on the natural curves of the spine which can further exacerbate these issues.

Body Stress Release (BSR) is a very special and gentle technique that is used to unlock stored tension in the muscles, thereby alleviating the above-mentioned symptoms.

If you would like more information on how BSR can support your back pain management, please don’t hesitate to contact me.