Frequent Breaks and Position Changes Good For Your Back

New research confirms the obvious, stoop over and don't move much and you'll significantly increase your risk for lower back pain. In a newly released study, Hong Kong researchers evaluated workers at a school for severely handicapped individuals. Workers wore accelerometers attached to their trunks - devises that measure and track the degrees of trunk flexion. Researchers discovered those workers experiencing back pain were spending more time with their trunks in the same position as well as more time in bent positions of more than 10 degrees of flexion. According to researchers, "Rest activities such as standing up from stooping and walking for a short distance are suggested to promote the cyclic muscular contraction and relaxation that facilitate the nourishment of spinal tissues and provide periodic rest to the muscles." Thus, it's important to minimize working in bent over positions and take frequent back breaks and breathers. Think of the ligaments, muscles and other soft tissue structures of the back as an elastic band. When you over stretch an elastic band or maintain its stretched position for an extended period, it weakens, loses its ability to return to normal and ultimately can snap due to the excessive strains and stresses placed upon it. However, unlike an elastic band your back doesn't come in a 100 pack at your local office supply store. You have one back for life. Call your local chiropractor today and learn how to treat your back with the respect it deserves.