Prevention

Back and body pain can be reduced or avoided by eating a proper diet, managing weight, and increasing muscle flexibility and strength through exercise and physical conditioning. A person that is strong, flexible, and eats properly is less likely to sustain injury. Even low-impact physical activities, such as walking or swimming, can help increase strength, flexibility, and endurance.

Some other ways to promote overall back and body health and help prevent injury:

• Maintain good posture when sitting and standing.
• Use your legs to lift heavy objects
• Carry heavy objects close to your body, and turn with your legs and not your waist to change direction
• Don't smoke: smoking can prolong healing because by reducing oxygen levels in the body's tissues
• Maintain a healthy body weight. Excess weight can tax the body's muscles, especially the back muscles.
• Sleep on your side with bent knees. Consult your doctor about how firm your mattress should be.

Learn more:
» Back & Body Pain Center Main
» About Back & Body Pain
» Causes
» Treatment
» Excedrin Back & Body

Sources
U.S. National Institutes of Health
WebMD.com
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
MayoClinic.com
ClevelandClinic.org