If any of these activities do result in injury

The easiest prevention, of course, is to be prepared when participating in strenuous activities. Instead of lifting weights to show off to his friends, the office worker could go alone at first, stretch, do some light weights and define his limits. Then, when the group goes, he will know what he can or cannot handle. Do-it-yourself projects can quickly become larger than they started, but doing some extra research, finding out the intensity of the project, having the proper tools, and stretching before starting can help reduce the risk of injury.

Another common, but unexpected, cause of back injuries is improper positioning of the spine. An uncomfortable mattress is a strong warning sign that the body is not aligned properly for sleep. Sitting for long periods of time or at awkward angles can cause great strain on the body. Even long commutes or road trips can tempt an individual to try new positions as they try to get in "just a few more miles," causing misalignment and back injuries.

Prevention, of course, includes proper sleep and posture. An ergonomic office chair and keyboard can help support proper alignment of the spine. The mattress should be firm enough to support, but soft enough to support the neck, dip under the hips, and allow the spine to position naturally. Other preventions include practicing proper posture and exercising back and shoulder muscles to maintain that posture. Frequent breaks, or walking about the office, can help reduce the risk of sitting in misaligned positions.

If any of these activities do result in injury, whether in spite of prevention or due to a lack thereof, chiropractors have been trained to use a variety of specialized treatments to diagnose and realign the problem areas in the spine. Chiropractors learn and memorize the back and its ideal alignment so that they can identify parts that are not properly positioned, anywhere from the neck to the tailbone. Pressure points can help the chiropractor to identify these problem areas. While some patients may know which areas are bothersome, many wait long enough for the pain to seem normal. Chiropractors can press known pressure points to identify pain and misaligned disks or joints.

Some chiropractors may also use electro-therapies to treat certain cases. Realigning the back, and then using certain electrical pulses can assist the body in its self-healing and train the spine to maintain its fixed position. Electrotherapy also stimulates the nerve centers of the body, allowing natural pain-relievers to release throughout the body, not only assisting in realigning the spine, but also healing and relieving pain.

The most pleasant chiropractic treatment is massage. Chiropractors manipulate and realign the spine, massaging the nearby area to help train often long unpracticed muscles to hold the body in the correct position. The treatment can be used anywhere needed on the spine, from the neck to the tailbone and can also help to manipulate joints, such as shoulders, that need repositioning.
Chiropractors save lives in their own way. Many people have lost full function of their bodies because of an injury. Sometimes these injuries are caused by a sudden movement or extra-strenuous activity, but can also be caused by improper positioning due to extended periods of time sitting. The best course of preparation is to be prepared. When exercising, stretch before and after, take full account of a projected task to be certain it is within the individual capabilities, and provide for proper sleeping and sitting posture. When a chiropractor is needed, however, they can rehabilitate an injured patient by using pressure points, electro-therapies, and massage treatments.