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With 21st-century parents putting an egalitarian spin on the nuclear family, modern dads have started to wave goodbye to archaic gender roles and swap leather briefcases for spit-up rags and juice boxes on-the-go. According to recent studies, the amount of time dads spend with their kids has tripled since 1960, as more women stake their claim in the workforce.
With new-and-improved modern dads beginning to assume active parenting roles in suburban homes nationwide, waking up at odd hours and hefting around rapidly growing toddlers are bound to take a toll on already-aching backs. To no surprise, back pain can be a real hindrance to dads hoping to be there for piggyback rides and playground shenanigans with their kids.
Fortunately, from picking out a better pillow to purchasing a lumbar cushion, active dads can invest in the right gear to make sure they’re ready for that next game of backyard tag or flag football.
Choosing supportive shoes
Investing in an arch-supporting pair of shoes is a surefire way to take a stand against chronic back pain. After all, back pain can make it difficult to complete basic tasks and even impact your mood and self-esteem when left untreated. Fortunately, alleviating pesky backaches can be as simple as window shopping for a pair of shoes that can absorb shock and cushion impact when you’re chasing your kids around the backyard. In no time, your days defined by muscle spasms will be far behind you.
Picking a better pillow
A memory foam pillow is a must-have purchase for dads in desperate need of back pain relief in bed after a long day of idling in the school pick-up line and playing pirates during make-believe sessions. Memory foam pillows offer pressure relief and can contour to the head and neck to promote proper posture.
Selecting a supportive office chair
Carrying a tuckered-out tyke up the stairs isn’t the only activity that causes back pain. Hours of slouching in front of a computer at the office can exert excessive stress on your lower back. That said, lift that physical burden off your shoulders by investing in a well-designed ergonomic chair.
Back relief on-the-go
If you can’t afford an ergonomic chair (or you want back support that you can take on-the-go), a lumbar cushion can be a great purchase. Lumbar cushions can help promote proper posture and reduce spinal pressure, whether you’re reading a book to your little ones or sitting through another meeting at the office.
Purchasing a back-friendly bike
In a world where copious amounts of screen time have become an unfortunate norm, a bike ride can be a great family outing for dads looking to spend one-on-one quality time with their kids. Getting an endurance, touring, or recumbent bike is the best bet for dads hoping to cycle while avoiding back pain.
Invest in massage tools
After a particularly rowdy game of flag football with the kids, you might need a deep back massage to loosen strained muscles. Treating yourself to a massage gun or foam roller (or adding these ache-relieving must-haves to your holiday wishlist) can be vital to working out deep knots in time for a rematch.
A muscle rub for immediate relief
When you don’t have time to use the foam roller after football with your children, a muscle rub can be your next best bet. Scour the shelves for ingredients like menthol when shopping for a muscle rub that can promise fast-acting relief before you put the kids to bed.
Final thoughts
Just because back pain is slowing you down doesn’t mean your kids will wait for you to keep up. However, by picking the right shoes, taking time to use a massage gun, and investing in a supportive pillow and desk chair, you can kick back pain to the curb before your next family soccer match.
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This content is brought to you by Jana Gray.
Photo: Shutterstock