When your back is acting up, you will feel like the whole weight of the world is taking a ride — on your back. The effect? Usually, you’ll find yourself popping pain pills and crawling into bed, until the throbbing — great scots, the throbbing — subsides. The pain will basically put a stop to your entire day. And if you like to be out and about, this sort of living isn’t going to do you any good.
So what do you do? Do you simply go on not doing anything too strenuous or physical to put a stop to the pain? Should you get a radical procedure done in order to put an end to the aching? If you have no serious cause for your back pain, try the following tips to manage and even prevent future discomfort.
- Back pain care NYC residents might want to know, should begin with light but regular exercises. The National Institutes of Health recommends light cardio training; walking and swimming are two ideal options. Both can improve blood flow to your back and promote healing. Stretching abdominal muscles has also been known to alleviate back pain.
- Maintain good posture. You may be tempted to do it but try and avoid slumping in your chair. Also, never hunch over your desk. Use a chair with a backrest and try to sit with your feet flat on the floor. And change how you’re seated every so often. You’re not a robot, after all.
- When lifting something, stand as close as possible to the object, spread your feet apart for a wide base support, then bend at the knees, and lift using your leg muscles.
- When you have to drive long distances, stop and walk around every hour. You should also put a rolled towel behind your back while driving.
- Stop smoking cigarettes. Smoking can reduce blood supply to the discs between the vertebrae, which then causes degeneration, leading to back pains.
- Buy a mattress that is suitable for your condition, your weight and age, as well as sleeping position. You may want to consult a back pain specialist about which mattress is ideal for you to use.
- Alleviate back pains by not doing normal physical activity for a few days. This should reduce the swelling in your back. Among the exercises that should be avoided, while you’re recovering, are dancing, jogging, sit-ups, golf, contact sports, and others.
- In the first 48 hours of your back pain, apply ice to the affected area, then heat.
- Finally, get into relaxing techniques like yoga or tai chi, or try to get a regular massage. These will not only make you feel a lot better but also decrease or prevent back pains.
