Improving health and fitness, including losing weight, is by far the most popular New Year’s resolution across the U.S. Shortly after the excesses and stress of the holiday season, thousands upon thousands of Americans will trek to the local gym, pick up their weights at home or race to the nearest aerobics class in a gung-ho attempt to undo all their bad habits of 2007.
But, what many people will also soon realize is that in their mad dash to shed pounds, they will instead find themselves adding back pain.
Here’s a checklist from Relax The Back and their educational partner SpineUniverse.com of things to consider and actions to take to protect your back when starting a new exercise program:
• Check your posture. Whether sitting at your desk working or using hand weights at the gym, pull your shoulders back and keep your head erect. Your head weighs eight to 12 pounds and you strain your upper back muscles every time you allow it to hang forward. Keeping your shoulders pulled back aligns your head and shoulders so that you’re working the muscles properly, avoiding strains and tears.
• Stop slouching. Sit with your pelvis lined up below your shoulders. Look for chairs that feature lumbar support and a countered seat pan. Long-term slouching takes its toll on your spine, allowing important supportive muscles to weaken, leaving you more vulnerable to injury during exercise.
• Strengthen your core muscles. Be sure to include a strengthening regimen for your core muscles that support your spine. A well-rounded strengthening program will include exercises for all of the large muscles, from your chest to your pelvis. An exercise ball is an excellent and safe in-home tool for increasing core muscle tone.
Getting in shape is a great idea, but make sure you don’t set yourself back by failing to protect your back!
Relax The Back is the nation’s largest franchisor of retail stores devoted exclusively to providing back care solutions for the more than 75 million Americans who suffer from back and neck pain. Relax The Back features a well-trained staff who are eager to share their extensive knowledge about preventing and relieving back pain, as well as match products to each client’s specific needs. With more than 100 locations throughout North America, Relax The Back offers an unparalleled selection of medically-endorsed, high-quality back/relaxation products. Information about the company and its products can be found at www.relaxtheback.com .
For more information please contact us at Relax The Back, located in the Gateway Village Shopping Center, at 661-294-2225.