Back Pain Back?

Is Your Back Pain Back?

Just about everybody will suffer from back pain sooner or later. Low back strain can be caused by:

  • Extreme physical exertion.
  • Falling.
  • Bending or crouching repeatedly.
  • Lifting heavy objects if you are not in shape.

Keep in mind that low back strain can’t be blamed for all back pain. There are many other causes, such as slipped discs, pinched nerves and infections.

Here are a few ways we bring on back pain, and some simple ways to take care of them before the pain gets too bad.

Glory Days:

Bottom of the ninth, tie game and you’re rounding third heading for home, and throw everything you got at the catcher. That’s ok when you’re in your teens, but when you’re over 30 and it’s a company softball game… it’s a bit much. You’re head thinks you’re still an athlete, but you quit training years ago, and as a result, your back suffers.

Don’t kid yourself, weekend projects around the house can also set you up for injury, especially if you were idle for most of the week. Cleaning out the garage, bending over a workbench, or spending hours in the yard or garden can be just as hard on your back as anything you do on the playing field.

Lift With Your Legs:

Take it from the UPS deliveryman or the person stacking bags of mulch at Home Depot: improper bending and lifting causes back injury.

The Basics: Here are the basic principles that you should use for safe lifting.

  • First engage your abs to help support your back.
  • Bend your knees and keep your back straight. Don’t bend at your waist.
  • Keep the object close to you. The farther away you hold it from your body, the more it stresses your back.
  • Never hold an item higher than your armpit or lower than your knees.
  • Don’t move something that weighs more than 20% of your body weight.
  • Don’t pivot, twist, or turn while lifting. Point your feet at the item you’re lifting and face it as you pick it up. Change direction with your feet, not your waist.

Move Things With Your Head:

If you’re doing chores around the house but your head is someplace else, you run a good risk of hurting your back. Simple tasks like taking out the trash or washing the dishes can get your spine bent out of shape if your body isn’t ready. What you’re doing doesn’t even have to be exhaustive or strenuous. If your mind isn’t focused on what you’re doing, you could be in trouble. Think about the times you’ve worked all day, your mind and body are both tired. Then you reach for something and twist the wrong way – snap!

Train yourself: Be aware of your core muscles and keep them engaged.

A simple way to do that is to pull your navel toward your spine and imagine you’re wearing a belt that pulls the sides of your abs inward. Doing that throughout the day — and especially when lifting or bending — strengthens and supports your back.

Get Off Your Butt:

Our society sits more than any other. We sit to drive to work, we sit again at work, we sit to eat, we sit going home, then we sit in front of the TV. Your back wasn’t made for that.

According to WebMD, your discs are spongy and cushion the vertebrae in your spine, but discs have blood supply. When you move, fluid circulates through the discs. When you sit still, the fluid is wrung out, so you’re depriving them of nutrition spending so much time on your behind.

Studies have also shown that sitting puts more pressure on your spine than lying down or standing up. Your spine needs nutrition, like the rest of your body, and movement is the food it thrives on.

Most of us have poor posture. We sit and lean forward to look at our computer screens. This makes you lock your pelvis and flex your spine, putting pressure on the front of the vertebrae, where your discs are. The more you arch forward and exaggerate the curve of the spine, the more pressure you’re putting on your discs.

Necessary Evil: Unless you can get a standing desk or walk to work, you’re going to sit. So try these tactics to lessen its impact on your back:

  • Get up and move at least once every 20 minutes, unless you’re driving. Set your screensaver to remind you; make a habit of going for a drink of water; when you answer the phone, stand up to stretch and change positions.
  • Keep your spine properly aligned by holding reading material at eye level (when sitting or standing) rather than bending over. Don’t lean over a desk or table to work. Whenever possible, your spine should be straight.
  • Choose a chair that supports your back. Adjust the chair so that your feet stay flat on the floor. If the chair doesn’t support your lower back’s curve, place a rolled towel or small pillow behind your lower back. Remove anything from your back pockets, especially a wallet, if you’ll be seated for long periods of time.

The good news is most back pain should lessen after 48 hours with a nonprescription pain reliever. But in some cases, your pain could require urgent care.

If your back pain keeps coming back, see a medical professional. You may have begun to rupture a disc or have another injury that could require treatment.

Kim BKim B
16:04 07 Feb 23
Dr Bruggerman operated on my neck last year and I can move it, I no longer am staring at the ground 24/7, I can turn it, twist it and look at the sky! I believe he uses magic in his surgeries. Kim is wonderful, kind and understanding of what I’m going through with my pain. She helps me understand what can be done to make my back better and their team has already improved my quality of life. They are now working on making my lower back pain better.Let’s not forget the office staff, they are all so nice and welcoming and clarify everything I need to do for my upcoming procedures and appointments.
Denise GarzaDenise Garza
19:24 08 Jan 23
This was my 1st visit. I’ve never been more impressed with a medical practice. The entire staff was very friendly and professional. The medical staff made me feel heard. Very clean and well organized I felt a peace in trusting them with my problems.
Robert HarrisRobert Harris
16:35 10 Nov 22
From the time I entered the reception zone until the time I left their office, I was VERY impressed by the congenial, caring and very professional atmosphere and the personnel that made it so!I was the VP of Operations for a large cardiology practice and I can say from experience that Dr. Bruggeman and his entire staff are exceptional! One of the BEST practices I’ve ever stepped foot in for sure and I am left wondering how you were able to recruit Angels to work for you?THANK YOU Dr. Bruggeman for the peace and assurance that you imparted to me and kudos to you and all of your precious staff members for working to go way beyond being good to being totally exceptional!
Montgomery StewartMontgomery Stewart
15:42 21 Oct 22
Dr. Bergerman is very friendly attentive and is very prompt in getting you the best treatment needed for your complaints. His staff is very helpful and professional. The front desk is is exceptional and helpful. At this office I don’t feel like some other health care providers where everything is just professional and once you pay you get treated and leave. You are free to ask questions and if you are not sure they’re never too busy to help. I would recommend others to this off.
Excellent care, the level of care and expertise are commendable. Complete and precise explanation of what is happening and the potential plan of care was discussed at length. We never felt rushed and our questions were answered with care and compassion. Highly recommend
Admin UserAdmin User
21:18 01 Aug 22
Fantastic. Very efficient and friendly office. Very competent at providing services and scheduling. Dr. Bruggeman did two surgeries on me. Both came out absolutely fantastic! I could not recommend him more. Dr. Bruggeman does not need the practice at surgery. If he says you need surgery, you really should listen to him.
Cynthia LockeCynthia Locke
17:46 12 Jul 22
Absolutely the best in SA! Can never thank Dr.Bruggeman and his extraordinary staff enough, for giving me the absolute best care and treatment before and after my disc replacement. Wouldn’t trust anyone but them for any spinal surgeries. So happy with my results!
Army VeteranArmy Veteran
18:49 21 Jun 22
Went to Texas Spine Care Center for the first time today, and my experience was AWESOME! From the two ladies at the front office counter who greats you with a smile and professionalism. The office is very upscale, clean and very inviting. The wait time was short to be called back to see the care representative. The exam room was clean, bright and upscale. I was seen by Dr. Yvonne Paredes who was very professional, and provided in detail information about my medical concerns. She explained what her recommendations would be to bring me some relief from my condition and pain. I highly recommend giving TSCC an experience, you will definitely enjoy it.James W
Gloria FulkersonGloria Fulkerson
18:04 14 Jun 22
I have had two surgeries performed by Dr. Bruggerman since Feb. 2019. One was a fusion in the lower neck/upper spine. The other was implanting a spinal cord stimulator. Both surgeries were successful and helped me to get my life back. I would highly recommend his office! His team of employees are awesome! Everyone is very nice, compassionate, and helpful. My stimulator is made by Boston Scientific. Dr. Bruggerman’s office coordinated my appointments with Boston Scientific so that a representative was there for the appointments along the way. He also worked very well with my pain management doctor, Dr. Tisdell. I had a wonderful team of medical professionals all the way around!
Johnny BacyJohnny Bacy
17:49 26 May 22
I am very happy with the results from my neck surgery. I also really enjoy seeing ladies at the front desk, Faby does it all. Ms Dora is always so pleasant and great at her job. I have already recommend my family to come here. Very Happy!!! 😃
Jeff TuffsJeff Tuffs
16:55 13 Apr 22
Very professional, and the conversation was understandable to even a layman. They didn’t try to push an agenda, but instead provided options.Very satisfied with my visit.
Yesenia MartinezYesenia Martinez
16:42 04 Apr 22
Thank you Everyone from Texas Spine & NuHope for offering what was needed in the process of a journey & a chapter of my life. With the hope and believing God was with me every step of my journey. I was bless to meet Dr. Adam Bruggeman as my spine doctor/surgeon & his medical team assistants, the care that was much needed!The surgery was a success, recovered well, was active again going back to the gym faithfully but after 2 years feeling pain again due to alarming physical and mental pain.By the Grace of God I am healed in not needing a second surgery that was going be quite different than the laminectomy surgery.God is Good. I thank God for medical teams and doctors that have the knowledge and guidance with the gift of helping others that are in need of Medical Necessity, God bless you All.Do not have fear of what God is able to do and what a surgery can do that is needed to live a better lifestyle to reduce the pain or have no pain at all.Thank you.-Yesenia
Lupita FloresLupita Flores
18:43 11 Mar 22
I have had 2 surgeries with Dr. Bruggeman and have done well. Dr Paredes is very courteous, professional, and treats us like family. All the staff is super friendly. I highly recommend this practice.
Mario GonzalezMario Gonzalez
20:16 28 Feb 22
This was my first time surgery and I was confident to leave this kind of surgery on Dr Adam Bruggeman.
Heather BlakleyHeather Blakley
12:04 01 Feb 22
I could write a novel but will try to be brief. I spent a large portion of my life ignored for the serious pain I lived with and Dr. Bruggeman discovered exactly what I was living with. It’s a rough road but he has made such a huge difference in my quality of life. I thank God I am in his care. His staff is hands down the best I have ever experienced. Dr. Bruggeman and his staff are all smart, kind, professional and there to help in every way. God bless you.
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