National Health Goals

Introduction

Anatomy and Function of the Spine

• The spinal column is arranged for movement.
• The spinal column has an important role in bearing loads and protecting the neck and back from injury.

Good Posture is Important for Neck and Back Health

• Good posture has aesthetic benefits.
• Proper posture allows the body segments to be balanced.
• A neutral spine occurs when the vertebral column's normal curvatures are optimally balanced in an upright posture.
• Awareness of good standing posture is important to a healthy spine.
• Awareness of good seated posture is important to a healthy spine.
• Poor posture contributes to a variety of health problems.
• Correcting postural deviations begins with restoring adequate muscle fitness and muscle length.
• In addition to body alignment problems, hereditary, congenital, and disease conditions, as well as certain environmental factors, can cause poor posture.

Good Body Mechanics is Important for Neck and Back Health

• Proper body mechanics can help prevent back and neck injury.
• Ergonomics is a discipline that uses biomechanical principles to develop tools and workplace settings that put the least amount of strain on the body.
• Good lifting technique focuses on using the legs.
• Poor body mechanics can increase risks for back pain.

Causes and Consequences of Back and Neck Pain

• Most people (more than half) will see a physician about a backache during their lifetime.
• The prevention of back problems is an important goal in worksite health promotion programs.
• Most back and neck pain stems from lifestyle choices or life experiences.
• The nervous system and various pain-sensitive structures contribute to back pain.
• The integrity of the neck and back are jeopardized by excessive stress and strain.
• Some exercises and movements can produce microtrauma, which can lead to back and neck pain.
• The lumbar region of the spine is a frequent site of injury and back pain.
• Degenerative disc disease is a common part of aging.
• Medical intervention is sometimes needed for neck or back pain.

Guidelines for Safe Physical Activity

• Some exercises and movements may put the back and neck at risk.
• Following established exercise guidelines is important for safe exercise.
• When considering the merits and risks of different exercises, it may be necessary to consult with an expert.
• Exercises that are prescribed for a particular individual differ from those that are good for everyone (mass prescription).
• The risks associated with physical activity can be reduced by modifying the variables or conditions under which the activity is performed.

Prevention and Rehabilitation from Back and Neck Problems

• Exercise is a frequently prescribed treatment for back or neck pain.
• Strengthening muscles involved in providing core stability can reduce the risk for back problems.
• Resistance exercise can often correct muscle imbalance, the underlying cause of many postural and back problems.
• Some additional general guidelines will help prevent postural, back, and neck problems.

Strategies for Action

• An important step in taking action to assure good posture and good back and neck care is assessing your current status.
• Learning to adopt and maintain good posture is an important and effective way to promote good back health.
• Specific exercises are sometimes needed to prevent or help rehabilitate postural, neck, and back problems.
• Keeping records of progress is important to adhering to a back care program.

Web Resources

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