Tips On Preventing Back Problems Back pain and other back problems can occur for different reasons. One of the best ways to treat back problems is to prevent them from happening in the first place. By following these prevention tips, people may decrease their episodes of back problems that can interfere with their daily lives. Exercise Back pain is often attributed to weak back and abdominal muscles that aren't able to give the proper back support, and the right exercises can strengthen these muscles. One of the best exercises for strengthening the upper back muscles can be performed by holding a resistance band in both hands and pulling and stretching the band in sidewise motions. Back extensions and lat pulldowns at the gym or with the use of resistance bands can also make the back stronger and less susceptible to pain. Crunches and pelvic tilts are among the best ab exercises that can prevent back pain. Make Posture Corrections Bad posture is one of the main contributors to back problems. A great way to check if posture is correct is to stand against a wall with the shoulders, buttocks, calves, and back of the head touching the wall and the small of the back protruding slightly outward. This posture should be maintained when stepping away from the wall. It's also important not to slouch with the head and shoulders forward when sitting and especially while working on a computer. Try Some Dietary Changes Being overweight is another factor that often leads to ongoing back problems, and eating healthier foods that are lower in calories, fats and sugars can help shed extra body fat. Anti-inflammatory foods, such as kale, olive oil, and salmon can help reduce the inflammation that's frequently associated with back pain. Modify Lifting Habits Many people are in the habit of rolling their backs forward and keeping their knees straight when they reach down to lift something, and this improper way of lifting can lead to ongoing back problems. By bending the knees and maintaining a straight back when lifting, the leg muscles can do much of the lifting so that the back muscles will endure less strain. People who have chronic back problems should avoid heavy lifting whenever possible, but they should maintain the proper lifting posture if they ever need to lift heavy objects. Back problems shouldn't have to be part of everyday life. With the right lifestyle changes, pain and other problems that affect the back can be avoided more easily.