7 Ways to Relieve Common Back Pain
Do you feel like you have become old way too quickly? In the days you should be pumping iron and working on a six-pack you are often seen struggling to stand up straight or shift in your chair multiple times because your back hurts too much?
One of the reasons why back pain is so common in old age is that nothing was done to relieve in when you were younger. So if you are young now, see if any of these apply to you and work on getting rid of this annoying back pain now.
Keep in mind that sometimes back pain is a symptom of serious underlying conditions so go to a good doctor to clear out those possibilities first. You can also go to a chiropractic clinic to get rid of back pain.
A Good Diet
One of the first things you should look at if you have had chronic back pain without a specific cause is your diet. Gastrointestinal issues often cause the back to be disturbed as well. In fact, studies have shown a direct correlation between digestive tract problems and backache.
This is often seen when a person is bloated and has severe gas pain too. The pain can radiate to the lower back and make the overall movement for the person very difficult.
So make sure you take a healthy diet with plenty of fiber. You can get fiber from vegetables and most fruit. Avoid excessive carbohydrates such as those you find in fizzy beverages, baked products, and snacks.
Plenty of Exercise
Exercising helps your back in a myriad of ways. In fact, if you exercise you are doing your back a huge favor.
First of all, exercising keeps your spine functioning optimally. The discs in your spine have to exchange fluids that hold nutrition for the discs. A well-functioning disc swells with the fluid and then expunges it out to stay healthy. Exercise helps keep this function running smoothly.
Other than that, exercising keeps the muscles, tendons, and connective tissue in your back flexible. This reduces stiffness that often becomes the basis of chronic back pain.
Exercising your back will also prevent your muscle fibers from tearing under stressful conditions like carrying heavy loads and injuries.
In fact, your back also benefits when you exercise other parts of your body. For examples, stretching your thighs relieves a lot of stress from your back muscles and prevents any kind of pain from developing.
Needless to say, exercise should be on the top of your list for back pain relief!
Medical Attention
If you have chronic back pain always make sure you give it appropriate medical attention. Many people opt for self-medication and diagnosis, but going to a doctor is your best bet.
First of all, going to a doctor will rule out any underlying conditions that are the cause of your back pain. This will also relieve you since you will know that whatever your problem is it is completely treatable.
Secondly, the doctor will give you a variety of treatment options like muscle relaxants, pain relievers, ointments, etc. They might also refer you to a chiropractor or physiotherapist who will be able to get rid of your pain at once.
Another benefit of seeking medical attention is that you will get to the root of your problem. So instead of trying out hundreds of remedies yourself and coming to a conclusion, the doctor will take your history and provide you with the most likely reasons. They will also suggest appropriate lifestyle changes.
Good Posture
Good posture is integral for preventing and treating back pain.
First of all, notice your gait when you are standing or walking. Do you slump your shoulders? Is your back arched? Is your head sunk? If you notice any of these problems in your posture, fix them. Now, remember that your posture will not fix in a day. You will have to practice walking and standing in a certain way to make it stick.
Also, notice your posture when you are sitting down. Make sure your back is not arched and it is well supported. You can add extra back support to your chair in your workplace too.
Make sure you do not slouch when you are sitting down because slouching for a long time can become the basis for severe back pain.
Lastly also make sure you are sleeping in a good position on a firm, supportive mattress. Sleeping on a worn-out mattress is the worst thing you can do to your back!
Massages
Every now and then try to have a spa day and get a nice full body or a back massage. The masseuse knows techniques that will relieve stiffness and soreness from your muscles.
Other than that, the calming aroma of essential oils and the blend of oils the masseuse is using on you will also help you relax and free your muscles from pent up tension.
Massage parlors generally have very calm environments that help in relieving any stress-induced pain.
Staying Stress-Free
Stress and anxiety are some of the most major causes of back pain. In stressful conditions, we tend to tense up our muscles, often unknowingly, which makes them stiff and sore. We are then subjected to intense back, neck, and shoulder pain that actually hampers our productivity, inducing more stress.
So try to relax your mind by taking breaks and listening to calming music. Alternatively, make a conscious effort to relax your muscles every few minutes when you are working to prevent them from getting sore.
Hot/Cold Therapy
Many times back pain takes a while to go away even after you have removed the trigger that was causing it. In these conditions, you can make use of hot/cold therapy.
This is when you apply a cold pack or a hot pack to the sore area for a certain time period to help it relax and stop inflammation. If you do not have a hot/cold pack, you can use a hot water bottle or ice cubes wrapped in cloth as well.