If you are one of the thousands of Americans who are suffering from daily back pain then you know just how debilitating and depressing it can be. It is a very difficult ailment to live with, however there are a few excellent tips, which if applied carefully can give a lot of relief. Here’s some of them:
To help prevent or alleviate back pain, try walking each day. Research has indicated that walking helps relieve back pain, whereas doing specific exercises meant to alleviate back pain may actually make the pain worse. Although your back may hurt, it is important to walk briskly for three hours per week to obtain relief.
To understand the severity of back pain or injury and avoid making it worse, you should rest your back for one to two days after experiencing pain. If your pain is gone within two days, you can assume the injury was minor. Conversely, if your pain does not diminish or increases in severity, you should probably consult your physician to find out what is wrong. Resting for more than 48 hours usually won’t do any good, and it may even make the problem worse due to back muscle atrophy.
Apply an ice pack to the painful area. Despite its simplicity, an ice pack is one of the most effective methods for reducing back pain. Applying ice or a cold pack to the painful area reduces swelling and blood flow, which also reduces the pain. It can also help relieve stiffness.
Make sure that your home and work environment is set up safely. You do not want to have a bunch of stuff on the floor that you could easily trip on and seriously hurt your back. Take a couple minutes each day and make sure that your house is picked-up.
Make sure to consult your doctor about alternative methods to treatment as well, including acupuncture and possibly even massage. Other methods as well are available, and these solutions might be of aid to help alleviate your chronic back pain. Acupuncture is a rather old and proven treatment, so be open to different suggested treatments that your doctor might recommend.
High stress and fast-paced living can easily lead to both acute and chronic back pain. As well, it is important to alleviate stress and be aware of different surroundings and practices, especially if you already have been suffering from back pain. While life moves fast and mental stress is hardly unavoidable, it is important to pay attention to ways to improve your way of life.
Keeping your back, pain free, is usually a couple of fairly simple techniques. If you are hurting in a certain spot try massaging the muscle group around that particular area. Do a few stretches and apply a heating pad. Some people also find it helpful to use a vibrating chair like the ones at the mall.
By following the tips that you have read in this article you should be able to get some badly needed relief. Give the straegies time to work. You are also advised to continue to work with your doctor, and check with him if you have any doubts about the suitability of any of these tips in your case.
