Expert Reports Seven Tips to Relieve Low Back Pain

(PRWEB) April 22, 2008 -- If you suffer from back pain, you are not alone. Americans spend $50 billion each year in an attempt to relieve back and even neurological ailments, second in number of occurrences only to headaches, as reported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (www.ninds.nih.gov).

At the center of the back is the spinal column, which provides support for the upper body weight. In addition, the spinal column houses and protects the spinal cord, an intricate and delicate nervous system structure that carries signals that control the body's movements and convey its sensations.

More than 30 bones are stacked on top of one another, known as the vertebrae which form the spinal column, also known as the spine. "This complex structure, should be taken care of as it is critically important to the quality of our lives," reports Michele Merhib, founder of elements therapeutic massage, an international conglomerate of more than 40 franchise locations which provide therapeutic massage services.

Merhib reports that one must take some simple precautions to take care of the back. She went on to reveal seven tips.

1.   Always stretch before exercise or other strenuous physical activity.
2.   Don't slouch when standing or sitting. When standing, keep your weight balanced on your feet. Your back supports weight most easily when curvature is reduced.
3.   The abdominal muscles support the lower back. People with weak abdominal muscles tend to suffer from back pain, so keep doing those crunches and build strong, supportive abdominal muscles.
4.   Sit in a chair with good lumbar support and proper position and height for the task. Keep your shoulders back. Switch sitting positions often and periodically walk around the office or gently stretch muscles to relieve tension. A pillow or rolled-up towel placed behind the small of your back can provide some lumbar support. If you must sit for a long period of time, rest your feet on a low stool or a stack of books.
5.   Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
6.   Maintain proper nutrition to reduce and prevent excessive weight, especially weight around the waistline that taxes lower back muscles. A diet with sufficient daily intake of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D helps to promote new bone growth.
7.   Get a therapeutic massage regularly to relieve stress and improve circulation throughout the body.

For more information about Michele, or about elements therapeutic massage, visit them online at www.touchofelements.com or call 303-663-0880x24.

About elements therapeutic massage:
elements therapeutic massage is headquarted in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and is part of Fitness Together Franchise Corporation. In 1996, Fitness Together Franchise Corporation began franchising to bring professional and affordable personal training services to every major city. Today there are over 400 Fitness Together personal training franchise locations throughout the world and over 500 scheduled to open. elements therapeutic massage is following the same model, and was created in 2000 by founder, Michele Merhib. The company started franchising in 2006 under the Fitness Together Franchise Corporation.