Back pain can be more than an annoying inconvenience. Both personally and collectively, back pain accounts for hours of time away from work, which translates into decreased productivity and lost earnings. Another insidious side effect is the psychological toll it can take in keeping people from functioning and enjoying life as they’d like. Here are some basic suggestions for avoiding back injury: Be careful even when heading for bed at the end of the day. Make sure you have a mattress and pillows that are supportive. Sleeping on your back increases the pressure on your spine. If you prefer to sleep in that position, put a pillow under your knees. It will ease some of that pressure.

• When reaching for something above head level, stand on a step ladder. Straining to get to something that’s just out of reach could result in a hyperextension of the shoulder and could hurt your neck and back.

• When carrying a heavy object, hold it as close to your body as possible.

• When lifting, whether it’s a squirming toddler or a heavy package, always bend at the knees rather than at the waist, and let your legs to the lifting. Also, avoid twisting while lifting.

• If an item is too heavy to lift, you’re better off pushing it than pulling it.

• When sitting, try to keep your knees at a slightly higher level than your hips.

Talk with your chiropractor for other practical suggestions on keeping your back safe.

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