Back pain can often be prevented by following these simple tips:

• Avoid prolonged lethargy or bed rest
• Do your best to eat healthy and maintain the proper body weight
• Keep proper posture as much as possible
• Stretch and warm up before exercise or other physical activities, such as gardening or bowling
• Always lift with your knees and keep the object you are lifting close to your body and try not to twist while lifting
• Don’t smoke and if you do quit!  Smoking impairs blood flow and this results in oxygen and nutrient deprivation to your spinal tissues
• Wear low-heeled shoes that are comfortable especially if you are walking often during day to day activities 
• Be sure that your computer desk and/or workstation is ergonomically correct
• Sleep on a mattress that is medium firm to minimize any curvature of the spine

Chiropractic is a health care profession that centers on disorders of the musculoskeletal system, nervous system, as well as the effect of these disorders on an individual’s general health.  Chiropractic care is most commonly used to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including back, neck and joint pain as well as pain in the arms, legs and headaches.

Doctors of Chiropractic are often referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians and they practice a drug-free, and more hands on approach to health care.  This includes patient examination, treatment as well as diagnosis.  With broad diagnostic skills chiropractors are also trained in recommending therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises.  Many also provide dietary, nutritional and lifestyle counseling.

The most conventional therapeutic procedure that is performed by a Chiropractor is called “spinal manipulation” or “chiropractic adjustment.”  The purpose of this manipulation of the spine is to restore mobility by applying a controlled amount of pressure into joints that have become hypomobile, or restricted in movement.  This is usually a result of a tissue injury.  Tissue injuries can be caused by a single event such as improper lifting of an object that is too heavy or through repetitive stress such is sitting in an awkward position day after day.  Either way these injuries can cause inflammation, pain and also diminished function for the injured person.  These affected areas can be adjusted to restore mobility, thereby alleviating pain, muscle tension and allowing those soft tissues to heal properly.