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8 Tips for Avoiding and Alleviating Back Pain

September 28, 2021 by Monica Nelson Leave a Comment

Nearly 16 million people in the US alone suffer from chronic and ongoing back pain.

Sometimes, all it takes is bending over to pick up a pen off the floor for back pain to set in. Fortunately, the majority of the time, back discomfort is only temporary and disappears on its own. However, if you suffer from persistent back pain, you may find that adopting a few simple changes in your daily routine will help.

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In reality, lifestyle has the most significant impact on back pain. Healthy habits such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, stretching, and excellent posture can provide you with back pain relief or help you avoid future problems.

These tips can help to alleviate back pain and help you to avoid hurting your back altogether.

Improve Your Posture

Keep good posture when undertaking physical activities to avoid injuring your lower back. This is especially important if you participate in sports or have a job that requires repetitive motions. Slouching should be avoided at all costs, and your spine should be kept as straight as possible. It is better to bend and straighten from the knees rather than from the waist when lifting. Additionally, when turning from side to side, make sure to flex your hips. Use kt tape for posture to help you find the optimum position for your body and support your efforts to improve your posture.

Maintaining appropriate posture when sitting will help you avoid lower back problems in the long run. You should keep your feet firmly planted on the floor and sit in a chair that provides lower back support if you work at a desk all day. Also, avoid hunching forward to see your computer screen and reaching far in front of you to operate your keyboard or mouse.

Change Your Sleeping Position

With back pain, it can be challenging to fall asleep at night. When you don’t get enough sleep, your back discomfort may become more severe. Back pain might be exacerbated by sleeping in an incorrect position. Try resting on your side for a while. Maintaining a neutral spine and relieving back strain can be accomplished by placing a pillow between your knees. A pillow placed beneath your knees can allow you to sleep comfortably when lying on your back. Make sure you sleep on a mattress that is firm enough to be comfortable.

Wear Supportive Footwear

Supportive footwear can help improve posture, stability and reduce the risk of lower back pain. Wear suitable footwear for the activity (sneakers for running or exercising, or boots for construction work). While wearing unsupportive shoes like flip flops or high heels on occasion is unlikely to cause lower back issues, wearing them frequently might raise pressure on the spine.

Keep Moving

Back pain used to be treated with bed rest. We now know that lying still is one of the worst actions. It can exacerbate back discomfort and cause other issues. Rest for only a few days. Even if you don’t feel like it, you should attempt to get up and move as soon as possible. Exercise is one of the best ways to cure back pain quickly. Swim, walk or do yoga.

Use Ice and Heat for Pain

Regularly applying ice to your back might help minimize discomfort and inflammation. Do this for up to 20 minutes multiple times per day. Tissue protects the skin when using an ice pack. Then add heat. Apply a heating pad or warm pack to relax muscles and promote blood flow. Warm baths might also help you relax. Never sleep on a heating pad, as this can cause injury and burns to your skin.

Lift Correctly

You should always bend at the knees when picking up a heavy object and keep it close to your body. A brace should be used if your profession demands you to lift large objects, and you should take care not to twist your body when you are doing so.

Maintain A Healthy Weight

The tension on your lower back can be exacerbated by being overweight, especially as you become older. Diet and exercise should be done by your doctor’s advice, to maintain a healthy weight for your height.

Have Massages

Along with stretching, massage can aid in the lengthening of shortened muscles and the relief of back strain in the lower back. Increased general stability results from strong lower back muscles, which can help prevent future lower back problems from occurring.

In some cases, avoiding back pain isn’t possible; however, knowing how best to care for your back to keep it strong and healthy can help you to avoid severe damage and alleviate pain should you experience it.


This is a collaborative post. 


Filed Under: Blog

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Let’s fire up the grill and here is a healthy ye Let’s fire up the grill and here is a healthy yet super tasty and fun treat for the 4th!
You can also use this same coconut cream again and just serve with your favorite fresh berries all season long! Enjoy. 

GRILLED PINEAPPLE WITH COCONUT CREAM
🍍🍍🍍

INGREDIENTS

For the Marinade:
• 1 tbs coconut oil (can also use olive)
• 1 tsp  ground cinnamon
• 2 1/2 tbs dark honey
• 1 vanilla bean (can be optional – but I love it here)
• 1 tbs of fresh lime juice
• 1 firm yet ripe pineapple, can buy already cut
For Garnish (Optional):
• 1 tbs dark rum
• 1 tbs grated lime zest from the lime
My Coconut Cream:
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup cream of coconut (such as Coco Lopez)

DIRECTIONS

Marinade:
1. In a large bowl – combine the oil, cinnamon, honey, vanilla bean (if using), and lime juice; whisk to well to blend together. Set aside.
2. Place each pineapple half cut-side down and cut it lengthwise into four long wedges; slice away the core. NOTE: Or you can slice it in rings too, which I do often. 
3. Place the pineapple in the bowl with the marinade and stir to coat the pineapple. Heat up the grill.
4. Place on the grill and cook about 3 to 4 mins. You can baste once or twice with the remaining marinade. Turn the fruit and move it to a cooler part of the grill or reduce the heat. Baste again with the marinade. Grill until the pineapple is tender and golden, about 3 more mins.
5. Remove the pineapple from the grill and place on a platter. Next, brush with the rum – if using. Last, sprinkle with the lime zest. Serve hot or warm!

For the Coconut Cream:
1. With an electric mixer, beat the heavy cream and cream of coconut until soft peaks form. TIP: You can also use this same cream again and just serve with your favorite fresh berries all season long.

So perfect for a summer treat with friends. Enjoy!
Let’s make my GREEN ME UP smoothie! I’ve been Let’s make my GREEN ME UP smoothie! I’ve been making this smoothie or a variation of it for the past 13-14 yrs, heck before there was TikTok. 😂 Such a delicious way to pack in some serious nutrition and those GREENS. 

Smoothies are an incredible tool to your wellbeing. They are super easy, versatile, and gosh dang - delicious and healthy. (If made correctly). That’s why I’m all about getting my clients on the smoothie train - if they’re up for it. 😉 

Just love providing clients with dozens of smoothie recipes I’ve created packed with protein and fiber, including healthy fats that keep you full 3-5 hrs easily. No matter what season of life I’ve been in personally: serious training, fitness modeling, both pregnancies/postpartum/nursing, healing, and now being a busy mom feeding our kids smoothies each morning, smoothies have been an essential piece.

This is a loose recipe so you can add anything else you want. Just make sure you have your protein source, your favorite veggies (hello phytonutrients), fiber sources and healthy fat. 

** Tip: put all the ingredients (EXCEPT the liquid) in the blender the night before! This tip has helped for years.

🥬GREEN ME UP SMOOTHIE🥬

• Handful of organic greens
• 1-2 cups organic celery (vitamins A, K, C, hydrating, supports digestion)
• 1/2 cup frozen cauliflower rice (makes it thick, extra fiber)
• 1 Brazil nut (gives daily selenium, which is important for fertility)
• 1/4 of an avocado
• 1/4 cup wild blueberries
• 1 tsp organic spirulina @nowfoodsofficial 
• 1/4-1/2 ceylon cinnamon (helps regulate blood sugar, antioxidant)
• 1 scoop @paleovalley bone broth powder
• 1 scoop whey - I like isolate and @nowfoodsofficial has a good one
• Creatine @nowfoodsofficial (fav supplement for 10+ yrs)
• 6-8 oz of unsweetened almond or coconut milk
• 1 scoop of @beeyawellness for topping, optional 

Other options I rotate in: ginger root, basil & chia seeds, psyllium husk powder, lemon (vitamin C), herbs like cilantro & mint, dandelion greens (great source of vitamin K).

1. Place everything in a HIGH-speed blender (yes this is important. Otherwise you’ll get salad texture). Blend for about 1 min. Enjoy!
Happy 2nd birthday to this special girl who I’m Happy 2nd birthday to this special girl who I’m utterly positive is a true magical fairy princess. We did a purple bday theme to match her cast. We just love watching you shine and embrace your world! 
You bring such joy and laughter to us Aubyn and may your birthday be as extraordinary as you are, sweet one. 💜🎂💜
Your kids are always listening. Always watching. A Your kids are always listening. Always watching. Always paying attention to your every move. They want to be. just. like. you. Healthy habits start young! Glad to see these two at 23 months & 6 yrs old lifting all on their own. 💪🏻

Recently Asher rushed home from school and said “I’m working out for 10 mins to get strong.” Followed by “then I can break free from all the hugs.” We learned that apparently 3 girls at recess hug Asher nonstop and he wants to get strong to “get away from all the girls.” 😳 Never a dull moment.
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About

Hi! I'm Monica Nelson and I'm thrilled that you're here. As a healthy chef, personal trainer & fitness expert, competitive athlete & sports model, I love helping people look & feel great! Try a recipe or read a wellness blog and tell me what you think.

Popular Posts

Salad with kale, chickpeas, and butternut squash.
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