Tips That Can Help You With Your Back Pain

Tips That Can Help You With Your Back Pain

There are many causes of back pain, including certain muscle injuries. Any type of twist, strain, or sudden movement can damage the ligaments in your back muscles leading to back pain, or worse long-term problems if not addressed promptly. You can get a lot of back pain tips from this article. Most importantly, when cared for properly, the back pain from an injury need not become a permanent condition.

Back pain responds best to basic treatments.

Avoid exertion for a couple of days. While you rest, be sure to increase your water intake, at least half your body weight in fluid ounces. You may even consider taking something over-the-counter for anti-inflammatory treatment... you be the judge.  Remember, naproxen or ibuprofen needs to be taken with food, and acetaminophen NEVER with alcohol. These non-prescription drugs can help relieve your pain... but don't rely entirely on their effects. 

There are also some great traditional techniques like the alteration between moist heat and cold packs. They may not be modern, but they still get the job done!  Avoid using an electric heating pad, the dry heat can make things worse, and falling asleep on one increases the chance of burning yourself.  

If you have back pain, stress can make it worse. You must develop relaxing habits to avoid causing sudden muscle spasms in your back. It is important to get good rest and apply moist heat therapy to help alleviate back pain.

Proper exercise is very effective for alleviating, and preventing back pain. Talk with your chiropractic doctor, your family's physician, or a physical therapist... someone who's licensed  and qualified to find out what's wrong.  Then you can ask about exercises, and the best practice home care measures that can help alleviate your pain safely through increased muscle strength and flexibility. When your muscles are strong and flexible, they can relieve a lot of the stress on your spinal area because they are better supporting the bones.

Use good posture when sitting.

If you have bad posture you will strain your back when you do not have to!  If you are sitting for hours a day due to work or other commitments, invest in a chair that provides back support. Sitting on exercise balls can help you improve your posture and keep your back strong. Be sure to get up and walk for 5- minutes every 45- minutes... even if just for a drink of water, or to get some fresh air.

Statistics indicate that two thirds of the population will deal with back pain at some point in their adult life. Many who suffer believe that one event was at the root of the pain. It can actually be an accumulation of smaller injuries that will finally result in a painful back.

Try to be careful with how you sleep in the night. Sleeping on your backside has been found to be the best position to keep your back pain under control, and if your back is acting up, you can use a hot bath before bed. Make sure that you do not sleep on your stomach, and when sleeping on your side place a pillow between your knees.

Believe it or not, drinking coffee can help to ease chronic back pain too. Recent studies have shown the caffeine in coffee has helped to block the chemical called adenosine. Adenosine can cause back stiffness, so coffee drinking may help you stretch your back muscles, resulting in less pain.

Pregnant women complain often of back pain. Pregnancy puts the mother's body at an imbalance, and to compensate the lower back must take on added weight. This condition can be treated with a combination of chiropractic care and massages that are geared to loosening tight and over-worked strained muscles.

A far infrared heating pad over the localized area, where you are experiencing back pain, can relax muscles. The deep penetrating low temperature heat dilates the blood vessels beneath the skin, which stimulates blood circulation. This increases oxygen flow to the hurting area, which in turn provides relief. Oftentimes you can use a far infrared heating pad wherever you are!

Heavy Lifting and Very Heavy Lifting

When lifting heavy items, bend at the knees as opposed to carrying the weight in your lower back. Picking up heavy boxes with your lower back can cause major back problems to ensue. Using your knees and bringing the item close against your body while lifting will use your core muscles and avoid a back strain.  Avoid lifting from the floor or ground level, and always use a dolly, hand truck, or lifting straps whenever possible.  Better yet, ask for some help when lifting and moving things you know are too heavy for you alone.

Most individuals understand what its like to experience back pains. Either they recall past experiences or might be currently dealing with it. Practicing good spinal hygiene is much like going to the dentist on a regular basis.  I recommend a chiropractic check-up twice as often as you'd typically get your teeth cleaned.  Because, "If your spine were on your face where you could see it, you'd probably take better care of it."   

This article has provided you with useful advice and several effective techniques that you can utilize to manage your back pain. The next step is yours. Take care of your body, and properly treat your back.

Bless and be blessed... Always,

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Lewis Meltz