Is your home decor giving you a backache

Those with aching backs might want to look at their home decor to help ease the pain. When decorating, most homeowners consider their personal style, color schemes and price range, but many don’t take time to consider products that can actually benefit their health.“

More than 80 percent of adults will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives, and treating back pain is often very time consuming and costly,” says Dr. Dave David.

A board-certified physician. “I encourage my patients to explore treatment options they can incorporate into their homes.” Some easy decor solutions that can help alleviate back pain include:

* Use reclining furniture. Seven in 10 doctors are likely to recommend sitting in a reclined position to help alleviate back pain, according to a survey of primary care physicians conducted by the L.C. Williams and Associates Research Group for La-Z-Boy. And, the American Chiropractic Association endorses La-Z-Boy reclining furniture for its back and lumbar support. Reclining offers total support, taking the strain away from the back in a way that sitting up straight or lying flat cannot.

* Get a good bed. The support provided by the bed and mattress at night are key to alleviating back pain. Ensure you have a good, firm mattress for proper support. If a new mattress is out of the question, use a memory foam topper. And for severe back pain, adjustable beds can make getting in and out of bed easier and less painful.

* Choose tables of traditional height. Stay away from the trendy bar-height tables that don’t allow you to anchor your feet. These can put added strain on your back while sitting and require extra effort to get in and out of the seated position.

* Find a deep tub. Soaking in a deep, warm tub is a great way to get a dose of the moist heat that is so often recommended for back pain. Whirlpool jets can also provide soothing relief for aching back muscles – just keep the setting low for gentle massaging action.

* Select carpet or decorative padded rugs. Hard floors can be beautiful, but many lack shock absorption beneath the feet. Selecting carpets or rugs can provide another measure of comfort for back pain. If hard floors are a necessity, consider a substance like cork, which is firm but flexible.

* Organize for little reaching. Store heavy items and those you use most often at arm-level to avoid the strain that comes from lifting or bending.

“There are many little things that sufferers of chronic back pain can do for relief at home, from sitting in a recliner to getting a firm mattress and taking a nightly soak in a deep tub,” says Dr. David.