Back Pain - The Value of Healthy Living
A recurring back problem may be a message telling you to examine aspects of your lifestyle that might be contributing to the problem.
Maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking lead the list of changes that can help your back. Although carrying too much weight is not a proven cause of back pain conditions in the first place, being overweight or obese can slow your recovery from back trouble.
Those extra pounds also increase the risk that back pain will return. The heavier you are, the greater the load your spine must carry. To make matters worse, if the bulk of your weight comes in the form of abdominal fat, rather than muscle, your centre of gravity can shift forward.
This shift puts added pressure on your back. By maintaining a healthy weight, you can ease the burden on your spine.
To see if you are a healthy weight, calculate your body mass index (BMI). This measure takes both your height and weight into consideration.
You can find a BMI calculator on line at www.health.harvard.edu/bmi
Not only will you help your back if you maintain a normal BMI (in the
range from 19 to 25), but you'll also lower your risk for many diseases,
including heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.
To help you get started on a Healthy Fitness Program, I am offering you 1 week complimentary of my online group training classes. Contact me through 'Contact Christine' on my website!
Your Health Coach, Christine!
Comments