Be Better to Your Back

It’s easy to forget that how you stand, sit, and move impacts your back. Here are some tips to position yourself correctly performing these everyday actions.

Sitting Down

When you are sitting at your desk, make sure your feet touch the ground and your weight is evenly distributed between your hips. Sitting in one position for long periods of time increases the stress on your tissues. Get up and move around every 30 – 60 minutes. This movement will keep your muscles and tissues flexible.

Standing

When standing up, keep your posture in mind. Stand up straight and keep your shoulders down and back in a comfortable position.

Carrying and Lifting

If you need to carry things, try dividing them evenly into two totes or better yet, use a backpack. Keep the weight close to your body.

When picking something up, bend at the knees, avoid twisting, and tighten your abs.

Using Your Cell Phone

Tilting your head down to look at your phone screen places almost 50 pounds of extra pressure on your spine. To avoid ‘text neck,’ hold your phone slightly in front of you at eye level.