Back pain is one of those things that’s more than just a simple headache, or a bruise. Back pain can affect every single area of our life, from our ability to get a good night’s rest, to our ability to concentrate, to even our ability to move around. As such, finding ourselves with an aching back can be not just uncomfortable, but arduous. The good news is there are ways to ease your discomfort. Here are some of the best tips for alleviating back pain.
Visit a Professional
It’s important that you consult a professional to ask their professional opinion, and any feedback that they may have. In some cases, they may not be able to refer you to a specialist who can pinpoint your specific issues. Regardless of whether it’s back pain or a cough, it’s always best to consult with a health professional before self-diagnosing. This will help avoid any future problems, and encourage faster healing.
A specialist will be able to prescribe certain treatments or medications and monitor your progress as you go. It’s always dangerous to self diagnose as opposed to going in for an official diagnosis with the doctor, so when in doubt, always consult an expert.
Sit Up Straight
One of the biggest contributors to back pain is not sitting up straight. Many people work a desk job, and as such, they slouch throughout the day. On the other hand, you have people with extremely active jobs, which require putting extra strain on their spines, which can end in injury, and ultimately an aching back.
Whether you’re sitting or heavy lifting, you need to practice proper posture. Sit up straight, with your shoulders relaxed, and your feet flat on the floor. The same goes for people who work on their feet. Know the proper lifting techniques, and you will find a considerable improvement in your back pain.
Stay Active
Many people think that rest is one of the best things you can do for an aching back, when in fact, movement is. When you stay active, you are strengthening your muscles that are supporting your spine, and relieve tension. Not to mention, activity increases your blood flow and can promote healing, without increasing the pain.
Staying active doesn’t necessarily mean you have to run a marathon, or lift heavy weights, either. Staying active can be something as low-impact as a stroll, or even yoga. You don’t even have to break a sweat to reap the benefits of low-impact exercise.
Just stay active throughout the day, and try to get up at least once an hour period try to take the stairs instead of the elevator, and walk places instead of taking public transportation or driving if it’s close enough. The idea is to move your body more in general, not only for limited amounts of time deemed as a workout.
Sleep in the Correct Position
If you add up all the time we spend in bed, the truth is that a good portion of our lives is spent sleeping. So even though we might be focused on the things we do when we’re awake to solve our back troubles, the truth is that the way we sleep can make a world of difference also. Try not to sleep in an awkward position, where your spine is twisted or overly arched. If you’re really feeling back pain, consider sleeping on one side with a pillow between your knees. This will ease the tension put on your lower back, and if you can manage to sleep like this every night, eventually your back pain may subside.
Regardless of the position you sleep in, your mattress may be to blame for your discomfort. If you’re sleeping on a mattress with protruding springs, or one that is 2 firm or too soft, then this could be the cause back. Consider buying a new mattress that better suits your needs, and you won’t just find yourself sleeping better, but your pain may just disappear.
