Back pain is a widespread problem in Houston and across the U.S., affecting nearly everyone at some point during their lives. Whether you've been dealing with a sore back or you just want to learn how to prevent issues in the first place, keep reading for some useful information. When it comes to back pain, the old saying is true: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. As anyone who has suffered from a bout of acute back pain can tell you, taking nearly any precaution is better than having a limited range of motion and coping with achiness.

Watch Your Posture

Prevention starts with simply paying attention to your posture throughout the day. Remember that the human body isn't designed to stay in one position for long periods of time; it's more natural to shift your body around every few minutes. Unfortunately, today's modern workplace is generally less conducive to these natural movements than that of 50 years ago. Many people are parked in front of computers for the majority of their working hours, chained to a chair that may or may not be designed to complement the curve of the spine. Even if you're one of the millions in this position, you can take steps to prevent back problems. For example, make it a point to stand up and walk around at least once an hour. Not only will you get the blood flowing and help your back, but stepping away from the screen for a moment can allow you to think more clearly.

When you are sitting around, try to keep your back at 110 degrees, not the board-straight 90-degree angle that so many parents have advocated throughout the years.

Strengthen Your Back

One of the leading factors of poor posture is weak muscles surrounding the spine. If your core muscles aren't strong enough to hold up the spine, you'll end up slouching under the weight. To stem this problem, it's important to work out your deep muscles regularly. One of the best ways to work out these hard-to-reach muscles is to start a swimming regimen because the movements used during swimming, together with the resistance of the water, can target virtually every group of muscles within the body.

Take Some Precautions

Even if you strengthen your back and take the time to stretch and move your spine, you should still be on guard against movements that can cause back pain. One of the most common causes of such pain is lifting heavy items in an improper manner. As you might have heard, it's essential to bend down to and lift items with your knees rather than your back. Another rule for defending against back pain is to ditch the heels. Although many women are ready to sacrifice their feet in the pursuit of passion, many of them are unaware of the connection between high heels and chronic back pain. After all, four-inch heels might look flattering, but they also throw the spine out of alignment and fundamentally change the way people walk.

By simply being more mindful of your spine and the many ways in which it helps stabilize your body, you should be able to better stave off back pain.