Back pain affects a lot of us, and it could be caused for many reasons. It’s the most common type of pain we experience, and it seems to get worse the older we get. So, it’s essential that we understand what causes the aches to relieve back pain.
What causes back pain?
Back pain can be caused by a number of factors, such as poor lifting, twisting, and carrying habits. There are also caused other factors such as Injury or repetitive strain on the vertebrae or joints; muscle spasms, repetitive stress on muscles, tendons, and ligaments, or even poor posture.
Since there are many ways that you can hurt your back, here are four ways to relieve back pain. Please see your doctor to ensure you do what is safe for you.
1. Improve your posture
While we often think of back pain as a temporary issue, it is actually an ongoing problem that can lead to long-term pain. Many people are not aware of the fact that posture affects the health and well-being of your entire body.
The quality and quantity of sleep you get, how you’re able to carry out day-to-day activities, and even your mood can be affected by poor posture. Poor posture can also cause back pain, which is why improving your posture can help relieve back pain.
2. Speak with the physical therapist
Physical therapy for back pain may help you. It has been proven to reduce pain levels in patients with chronic back pain by 50% or more in only 6 months.
It is also a very cost-effective intervention that can be especially beneficial for the uninsured or underinsured. Many therapists offer pt observation hours to help aid your recovery.
You might also benefit from a chiropractic adjustment. In a consultation, the doctor will assess whether you are a good candidate for this type of treatment for back pain relief.
3. Ice and heat to relieve back pain
Ice and heat can help relieve your back pain because they activate the sensory receptors in your skin that send signals to your brain. Ice provides a numbing effect, which helps to relax the muscles. Meanwhile, heat activates the sensory receptors that send signals to the brain.
When you are experiencing back pain, it is important to take care of yourself properly. Ice and heat help you manage your pain without having to resort to medication or other treatments that may not be suitable for you.
4. Improve your sleep
While there are many ways to relieve back pain, one of the best ways is to improve your sleep. Research has found that sleep deprivation can lead to chronic back pain in as little as six weeks.
Additionally, poor sleep can worsen symptoms in people with chronic back pain by causing inflammation and muscle stiffness. Improving your sleep is a great way to reduce the risk of developing chronic back pain.
The bottom line on relieving back pain
These are just a few ways to relieve your back pain, and there are many that are available to you, from medication to therapy. If left unchecked, it could worsen, so if you find yourself dealing with back pain, it’s worth getting in touch with your doctor for help.
My back is messed up from car accidents, being pushed down a flight of stairs and then a bicycle hitting me in the back. The handle bars smashed into the exact weak spot from whiplash. Idiot was racing along a sidewalk.
I use Salon Pas. They are stick on patches that contain natural medications. I put them right on the pain, then extend them where the pain radiates. I usually use 2 – 4 of the 3 hour patches.
I’ve also used them down my arm and on my wrist for carpal tunnel. They are inexpensive, non toxic, and WORK!
These are good tips. I have chronic back pain and I use all of these pieces of advice as best I can.
I read a very interesting article recently, Christy. It suggested that lifting weights (strength training) goes a long way to reducing back pain, especially lower back pain. The article suggested that having strong glutes, in particular, was instrumental in relieving the stress placed upon our bodily structures. This added strength being transformative for many of those aches and pains.