Memory Foam

In the last few weeks we have included some suggestions to help keep your back in it’s best condition and this week we have our final five to continue to aid in relieving annoying back-pain.

1. Magnesium is known to help maintain normal muscle and nerve function so it may be worth your time to visit your family doctor to determine if you are magnesium deficient.
2. It may be time to consider purchasing a new mattress!  The firmness of your mattress can affect your lower back.  A medium firm mattress is believed to be the best according to a study done in Spain.  You may want to explore the possibility of a memory foam mattress.  You can begin your research with testing a memory foam pillow and once you discover it’s benefit you may want more of a good thing!
3. A regular massage may be just what the doctor ordered!  Massages can reduce stress and loosen up any tight muscles.
4. The power of a tennis ball may surprise you!  If you place it under the part of your back that is hurting, while laying flat or standing against a wall, it will relieve the tightness of the muscle that is hurting as the pressure is placed on it.
5. There are other devices that can be purchased which aid in strengthening and stretching lower back muscles, such as the inverter table.  If you are considering any product, ensure it’s safety for your body.

Does this sound like a typical day for you…You sit in a car to drive to work 30 minutes or longer.  You arrive at your office to sit in your desk chair for the next eight hours and then drive home sitting once again in your car for another 30 minutes or longer.  You walk into your home to sit down at the dinner-table and after you’ve enjoyed the meal, you sit or lay down on the couch to watch television!

That is a recipe for disaster for our bodies.  We are increasing our risk for obesity, back pain, leg cramps and tense muscles.  Here are some easy tips and exercises you can do right at your desk. 

• Firstly, ensure the desk chair is at the proper height, reducing the strain on your back.
• Check your posture at your desk.  Your lower spine should be flat against the back of the chair.  A pillow inserted can be a tremendous aid for you to maintain proper curvature.
• First exercise tip is to cross your legs in the chair with your feet on the seat.  Placing your hands on the armrest, hold your tummy in, and raise yourself in the air and hold for 10-20 seconds.  Rest for 30 seconds and then repeat five times. This will work your core and arms.
• For lower body strength, sit in your chair with one leg extended in front of you.  Hold this position for two seconds and then raise your leg up as high as you can and hold it for another two seconds.  Do this for both legs fifteen times.
• Instead of using email to send a message to your co-worker, get up and walk to their desk and give them a personal visit.  The change in position will be good for your body.

Instead of having another doughnut from the coffee room, encourage your co-workers to join you.  That may also stop they funny looks you may receive from them!  They will be glad they did when their bodies begin to feel better!

If you have or are presently suffering from lower back pain you will find this article interesting.  A simple act may change the way you feel.  We should not overlook the importance of stretching and developing the discipline of doing it every day.  When we consider the benefits to stretching: 

• improved circulation
• reduced tension
• relieved back and shoulder pain
• reduced stress

We will no doubt want to take the few minutes each day to include some stretches!

Aging on our bodies is not always kind to us and one of those side-effects can be tighter muscles and joints which limits the ease with which we can move.  Of course, a lack of flexibility will make it harder to take part in the activities we may enjoy such as biking, hiking or walking.

Before stretching, warm up your muscles with a brisk walk and then hold a stretch for 20-30 seconds.  Avoid bouncing when stretching as that may tear a muscle.  Stretch throughout the day for a few minutes at one time.

This is a simple way to help take care of your back pain.  We also recommend our four-in-one pillow to comfort your back while reading, working at your desk or sleeping.

Try using this simple formula today!

We have included more ways to help you, we hope,  live pain-free with your back!

1. Avoid lifting heavy objects where possible.  If lifting is required, ensure proper body positioning, by bending slightly at the knees and lifting with your legs, not your back.  Keep your back as straight as possible with the object close to your body.  Don’t be afraid to ask someone for help in lifting heavier objects!
2. If a back injury has occurred, place an ice pack on the area to reduce swelling.  Once the swelling has decreased heat can be applied.
3. An active lifestyle is good as circulation to your muscles is created when participating in aerobic exercise.  Increased circulation can reduce the tightness surrounding our muscles.  One word of caution, if back pain has resulted from an injury, please check with your doctor before doing any strenuous exercise.
4. Stretching all areas of your body should be part of every day.  Our body acts as one and if one area is hurting, another part may will compensate for it. If you stretch after exercising,  your muscles will be warm and more flexible.  Do not stretch beyond what your body should so as not to cause further back injury.
5. Consider including back strengthening exercises into your exercise program.  You may want to consult a physical therapist to develop a plan best suited to your needs.

These five tips can help you during the daytime hours and a memory foam pillow can help you during the nighttime as you sleep to ensure your spine is in the best aligned position.

Stay tuned for our last five tips on strengthening your back next time.

1. Sit and stand with your back straight.  Slouching places extra pressure on your shoulders and other parts of your back.
2. Ensure your desk is a comfortable height, neither too high or too low to avoid a strain on your back.
3. Purchase a chair with good back support, one in which your back is touching the back of the chair.  If extra support is needed a lumbar support pillow can be purchased and easily inserted to correct the situation.
4. If you are sitting for a long period of time, place your feet on a stool to remove pressure on your back.  If you stand for a prolonged amount of time, change the position of your feet periodically.
5. Low heeled or athletic shoes should be worn so as your weight is distributed evenly.

Discomfort in pregnancy, particularly during the latter months, is common.  We want to try and help ease you through those “rougher” months so consider trying the following tips.

1.  Maternity Back Support Belt - A good night’s sleep is so important during pregnancy.  Even though you are in a horizontal position, you may falsely think that the weight is off your back.  Guess again, the weight is still there and using this belt will support your belly, thus relieving your lower back from carrying all the weight.

2.  Low-heeled or athletic shoes - Fashion must move aside for now as pain in your feet can cause pain in your back.  Even while wearing supportive shoes, you may still want to request a foot massage every so often!

3.  Daily Workout - It is okay to do some light exercises, such as walking, with some light stretching each day.

4.  No Heavy Lifting - Remember you are already carrying weight inside of you, so there is no need to carry more!

5.  Plenty of Sleep - Bed rest doesn’t mean you have to be in bed all day long but do give yourself permission to relax.  A back support pillow will be a welcome help .  It can also be placed between the legs while sleeping on your left side to provide support. 

It’s best to follow all these tips as zeroing in on just one will not bring the best results in relieving your back pain.

Finally, it’s 5:00 p.m.!  The end of another work day and bonus, it’s the weekend!  Aah, rest and relaxation, but wait…as you slide your chair away from the desk and get ready to stand up…OUCH!  Your back is hurting, you’ve strained it somehow.  I guess there will be more rest and relaxation than you thought this weekend after all!

Sitting for long periods of time without any support creates muscle tension and can result in pain in the lower portion of our back.  May we suggest a lower back support pillow to help reduce or alleviate your back pain and possibly neck pain.

A natural gap is evident between the lower spine and chair on which one sits and a back support pillow helps to fill in that space.

These back support pillows can also be used for our heads and necks while sleeping as they keep these body parts aligned, relieving pressure and tension points.

Now, doesn’t that sound like an easy way to be able to really enjoy those weekends?

No more aching back!

How many nights of sleep have you lost due to tossing and turning, trying to get comfortable?

How much have you spent on chiropractor bills because of a sore back?

How many days have you lost at work because of back ache?

Would you like to see the pain, stiffness and perhaps spasms go away?

The first place you should consider looking to end this pain is in your bedroom!  We spend 1/3 of our lives sleeping and since our backs rest and recover during that time, we need to make sure they indeed are able to rest.

One of the benefits of purchasing a memory foam pillow is that it is specifically designed to align your body, no matter what your favourite position is.  Keeping your spine in line with your head and neck is the key!

Don’t skimp on your pillows, they are one of life’s products that invests in your health.  Just maybe spending more money on your pillows, will allow you to earn more money as you arrive fresh and ready for what the day may bring at your place of employment!

Why is it so many of us are suffering from back ailments of some sort?  Perhaps our fast paced society doesn’t allow us time to rejuvenate, or perhaps the hours sitting behind a computer screen are taking their toll on us or perhaps we are sitting on the couch instead of taking a walk and getting some needed exercise.  A good night’s sleep is a must if we are going to tackle those challenging days.

To help relieve some of that back pain or discomfort caused by improper spinal care, consider investing in memory foam pillows.  These pillows will provide full support and ultimate comfort by conforming to the contours of your neck and head.  You may be reading this and think, “Why not use some of the throw or decorative pillows I have in the house already?”  Unfortunately, they can not provide all the support your body is calling for.

You definitely will receive value for your dollar by ordering a memory foam pillow!  These pillows are great for all ages - so share them around!  It’s never too early to look after your body! 

After you enjoy such a good night’s sleep - you won’t want to leave home without your memory foam pillows in hand!  Why suffer in hotel rooms on those travelling trips?  Grab your very own memory foam pillow!

If your job keeps you “tied” to a desk for most of the eight hours in your working day, I can probably guarantee you come home with a backache and tiredness.  That back pain often results from sitting in positions that are not ideal for the curvatures of your spine.

A lumbar support pillow will evenly spread the muscle weight to the spine area.  In the sitting position, muscles located in the upper back hang which causes other muscles to fall on the waist, this leads to stiffness and lower back pain.

When you consider that a lumbar support pillow can go with you to work, while you travel (whether by car, planes or train), or stay at home in your favourite recliner, what an excellent investment!

What could be an easier solution to soothe that back strain?!