Everyday Habits to Prevent Back Injury and Pain
Each morning, we have a routine. It might include starting off with a hot shower or firing up the coffee maker. Our routines continue throughout the day: we take the same route to work, lunch at noon, favorite TV program at 9:00, and then off to bed.
Here at Nebraska Spine Hospital, our main focus is providing the best care possible to our patients. One of the ways we achieve that goal is through our team of nurse navigators. Keep reading to learn more about our nurse navigators and how they benefit our patients.
A nurse navigator is someone who helps to coordinate a patient’s care from their pre-operative appointment to weeks after they’re discharged from surgery.
One of the easiest ways to prevent back pain is to get up and move every hour. Set a reminder on your phone or computer and walk around the office or stretch at least once an hour. You can even try to implement one of the following office stretches and exercises.
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Our favorite office stretch is the reverse arch stretch.
Did you know that leaning forward just 30 degrees puts 3 to 4 times more strain on your back? Over time, that added stress can cause unnecessary wear on your spine’s ligaments and discs. Keep reading to learn more about creating a healthy workspace with the right office chair and computer setup.
There is no one chair that is the best,
You are what you eat.
We’re sure nearly everyone has heard that phrase at least once in their lifetime. That old saying definitely has some truth to it, the foods you choose to consume throughout your life do determine your body’s ability to repair itself. Keep reading to learn how proper nutrition, or lack thereof,
No one wants to experience pain over the holidays. But the truth is that the holidays are the perfect storm for developing back pain. Take the long hours cooking and baking, shopping, traveling, or wrapping presents and compound it by not having enough time to worry about your nutrition, exercise, or sleep.
The result?
Prior to surgery at Nebraska Spine Hospital, each patient will have a detailed phone call with one of our nurse navigators. During this call, our nurse navigators will cover a lot of information pertaining to your medical history and upcoming surgery, including how to handle your medications before surgery. In addition, you will also receive a call from our pharmacy to verify your current medications.
Through speaking with patients over years, we know that exercise is the last thing someone experiencing back or neck pain wants to do. While the urge to rest is strong, we encourage those suffering from pain, especially chronic pain, to try to move a little every day.
Why do we want to get everyone up and moving?
Strength training is a great form of exercise that helps you to build and maintain muscle. Regular strength training, 2-3 times per week for 20-30 minutes each time, can help to keep your entire body healthy, including your spine. Strengthening your muscles, especially those in your back and core, can help to alleviate or prevent back pain.
Do you have an upcoming spine surgery scheduled? Or has your doctor implied that you may be in need of surgery in the next several years? We’ve compiled a few tips to help our patients prepare for spine surgery. These tips will help prepare you for the best outcome – a life without back pain.