Back pain is common and can occur due to injury, underlying medical condition, or overuse. But your back is linked to many body organs, meaning it can make your life miserable when it’s in pain. Fortunately, back pain specialists like the AABP Integrative Pain Care team know how to give you long-term pain relief from your condition. But since some of the main causes of back pain are lifestyle choices, you might have more to do to achieve back pain relief or improve the effectiveness of your treatment. Here are some remedies for back pain.
1. Exercise
Physical therapy is sometimes required to alleviate some back pain symptoms. But never try any exercise for back pain before you get an expert diagnosis and understand the cause of your pain.
With your doctor’s approval, stretching, strength training, and low-impact cardio can help you with back pain. Combining these exercises can also help you avoid the condition recurring by about 45 percent. The exercises can strengthen your back muscles and relieve pressure to eliminate your pain.
2. Change Your Sitting Posture
Your posture is a major concern for your back. Depending on the nature of your work, you might realize that your back hurts after a long day working on the computer. But even hunching over your smartphone for a long time can ruin your back. If the source of your back pain is related to these behaviors, you might want to change your posture. Ensure you get the right chair for your office, which supports your back fully, and avoids sitting at the edge of the chair. Also, take breaks at intervals and stretch out before getting back on your chair.
3. Hot and Cold Therapy
Sometimes you can relieve some back pain symptoms by using a cold pack or applying a heating pad. Consider alternating between the two therapies to find out the one working best for you. Also, remember to consult your doctor to understand how to do everything right to avoid complications like burning your skin. Be careful when using a heating pad at night to avoid falling asleep while it is on you. If your symptoms worsen in the morning, you can try heat therapy to improve blood flow in the painful area and reduce muscle stiffness.
4. Massage
Massage therapy is beneficial when dealing with back pain. Only ensure you get it right from a qualified therapist. It can improve blood flow to your problematic back muscles and relax them through the soothing rhythm of the massage movements. It can also reduce muscle stiffness and boost the production of endorphins, the natural painkillers in your body that can lessen your agony.
5. Improve Your Sleep Posture
You can get a bad case of back pain by sleeping on a poor-quality mattress. You have to get a mattress with good lumbar support to avoid back complications. Consider investing in a medium-firm mattress that can cushion and support your spine while you sleep. Also, sleep comfortably when back pain doesn’t let you sleep on your back. But if you must sleep on your back, consider using a pillow under your knees to give your spine some support.
Your back could be hurting because of many reasons. Therefore, do not try any remedy or self-treatment before speaking to a medical expert or getting an accurate diagnosis. Get in touch with the back pain specialists in New York for help.
