Lifting Weights and Your Shoulders
Lifting weights is a great way to improve your posture, increase your strength, gain bone density and increase your metabolism. But too much can hurt your shoulders. Shoulder joints have a large range of motion. You use them in daily activities such as raking, throwing, reaching and picking up your children. Strong shoulders can help […]
The Relationship between Your Knees and Your Back
Your body is a web of connections. When you feel pain in one area, it may actually be due to a disease or injury in a different spot. Your knees and your back are another connection. So back pain, particularly lower back pain, requires a diagnosis and treatment with an experienced pain physician, such as […]
Core Exercises: Pros and Cons
The core of your body revolves around the muscles in your abdomen, sides and back. Your core also includes the majority of your spine. If your core muscles are weak, your back is at a greater risk of injury from lifting. While heavy lifting in the gym or at work obviously requires a strong core, […]
Kick the Habits that Lead to Back Pain
If you’ve ever had a painful back problem, you know all about the frustrations and discomfort. Did you know that most incidences of missed work are due to back pain? Chronic back pain disrupts many aspects of your daily life, including sleeping, hobbies and even sex. Your doctors at the Southeastern Spine Institute (SSI) understand […]
Quit Smoking for Better Back Health
It’s well documented that smoking has a negative effect on your whole body. It raises your risk of developing multiple health problems, from heart disease and stroke, to lung disease and cancer. Smoking is also associated with increased chronic back pain and is a risk factor for spine problems such as degenerative disc disease. If you […]
The Best Pillows to Prevent Back Pain
A sore back not only causes you to lose sleep, but tossing and turning at night may also be the cause of your back pain. You can create a vicious cycle of unending back pain if you can’t get comfortable while you sleep. While you should start with a good mattress, you also should invest […]
Lose Weight to Ease Back Pain
If you’re overweight or obese, you may not realize the profound effect those extra pounds have on your back. The added weight strains your joints, muscles and vertebra in your back. Extra weight also contributes to fatigue and shortness of breath after even brief bursts of activity, so it’s understandable that you want to avoid […]
5 Stretches That Are Actually Bad for Your Back
Since gym class in grade school, you’ve had it drilled into your head that stretching is an unequivocally good thing. You know that a stiff body is a recipe for trouble and that gentle stretching can produce positive results. But it’s not always the case. There are bad back stretches, and this is especially true […]
The Best Weight Training for a Bad Back
If your back is in pain or you’ve recently undergone a procedure for back pain, you may not know if lifting weights is a good idea or not. Always ask the spine medicine experts at the Southeastern Spine Institute (SSI) before you begin or resume any exercise regimen. Lifting weights with a bad back is […]
How to Take Care of Your Back if You Play Sports
Playing sports provides a healthy alternative to exercising alone. In addition to the physical benefits, playing sports also benefits you by: Building teamwork skills Developing friendships Improving your mood Decreasing depression While sports are fun and healthy, you’re more apt to hurt yourself in the competitive spirit if you don’t take appropriate precautions. Injuring your […]