[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2013\/12\/7-back-health-tips\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2013\/12\/7-back-health-tips\/","headline":"Ways to Keep Your Back Healthy","name":"Ways to Keep Your Back Healthy","description":"When your back feels good, life can feel good. Here are some effective, everyday strategies for keeping it that way. How to Prevent Back Pain Standing:\u00a0Keeping one foot forward of the other, with knees slightly bent, takes the pressure off your low back. Sitting:\u00a0Sitting with your knees slightly higher than your hips provides good low […]","datePublished":"2013-12-07","dateModified":"2022-11-01","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/GettyImages-1366934841.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/GettyImages-1366934841.jpg","height":867,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2013\/12\/7-back-health-tips\/","about":["Family Health","Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":478,"keywords":["acute back pain","back health","back pain"],"articleBody":"When your back feels good, life can feel good. Here are some effective, everyday strategies for keeping it that way.How to Prevent Back PainStanding:\u00a0Keeping one foot forward of the other, with knees slightly bent, takes the pressure off your low back.Sitting:\u00a0Sitting with your knees slightly higher than your hips provides good low back support.Reaching:\u00a0Stand on a stool to reach things that are above shoulder level.Moving heavy items:\u00a0Pushing is easier on your back than pulling. Use your arms and legs to start the push. If you must lift a heavy item, get someone to help you.Lifting:\u00a0Kneel down on one knee with the other foot flat on the floor as near as possible to the item you are lifting. Lift with your legs, not your back. Keep the object close to your body at all times.Carrying:\u00a0Two small objects (one in either hand) may be easier to handle than one large one. If you must carry one large object, keep it close to your body.Sleeping:\u00a0Sleeping on your back puts a lot of pressure on your back. Put a pillow or two under your knees to cut the pressure in half. Lying on your side with a pillow between your knees also helps.Treating Your Back PainFeeling minor back pain?\u00a0Treat it with anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen. You also can do gentle stretching or physical activity followed by an ice pack. Additional over-the-counter topical medications, such as lidocaine patches or arthritis gel, also can help reduce pain.If your back pain persists, consider seeing your primary care provider or a pain medicine specialist for other treatment options.According to Sean McDermott, MD, pain medicine doctor, UPMC, chronic back pain is back pain that persists longer than three months.\u201cAt UPMC Pain Medicine, we provide a multi-modal approach to chronic pain where we utilize multiple treatments, including procedures, medications, therapies, and other options to best manage pain,\u201d says Dr. McDermott, who sees patients at UPMC St. Margaret.Procedure approaches include:Injections.Nerve ablations.Advanced procedures such as spinal cord stimulators.\u201cThe most common injection that we administer is an epidural steroid injection,\u201d he adds. \u201cThis type of injection is typically for patients with sciatica, which is back pain that ends up radiating to the legs.\u201dUPMC Pain Medicine: Expert Care, Close to HomeUPMC Pain Medicine provides evaluation and treatment for many different types of pain. And with many different locations, you can find care close to you.\u201cWe are excited to offer world-class services for patients in the area, so they don\u2019t need to travel far for an injection or any of our multi-modal therapies,” Dr. McDermott says.To find pain management care in your area, visit us online.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on December 7, 2013, and was last reviewed on October 20, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2013","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2013\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"12","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2013\/\/12\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Ways to Keep Your Back Healthy","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2013\/12\/7-back-health-tips\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]