FOOT HEALTH RESOURCE CENTER

5 Ways to Treat and Prevent Lower Back Pain

LOWER BACK PAIN

Lower back pain can be a chronic, even

debilitating condition that prevents you from

engaging fully in your work and your life.

If you’ve ever suffered from lower back pain,

you're not alone.

Studies show nearly 80% of people worldwide

will experience back pain at some point in

their lifetime.*

* The Podiatry Institute

So what, if anything, can you do to treat and

prevent it?

If you are currently experiencing lower back

pain, these methods may help.

1. Use supplemental devices

like cushions, to align and support your back.

2. Rest your back + apply hot/cold treatments

or topical analgesics as needed to relieve

the pain.

3. Practice good posture while sitting + standing.

Keep your neck and back straight and relax

your shoulders.

4. Maintain ground alignment

with supportive shoes or shoe inserts.

Avoid high heel shoes.

5. Stretch + tone

your back muscles on a regular basis.

For particularly painful back pain, consider

physical therapy or other medical

treatments (such as chiropractic therapy

and acupuncture) to bring your body back

into alignment and reduce your pain.

An untreated back injury may lead to more

serious long-term conditions, like a bulging

disc or arthritis.

Both of these conditions put undue pressure on

the spinal cord, leading to chronic pain and

potentially requiring surgery.

See your doctor if you injure your back

or have lower back pain for more than a

few days.

FOOT HEALTH RESOURCE CENTER

For more information about treating and preventing back pain from the experts at FootSmart and the Podiatry Institute, visit www.footsmart.com/Foot-Health-Resource-Center.