What to Do When You Have Back Pain

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Are you one of those people who wake up every morning feeling like your back is on fire? Do you always find yourself complaining about a sharp pain in your lower back or an incessant ache in your upper back? If you have, then you know how debilitating back pain can be. It restricts your movements and diminishes your quality of life. However, you really don’t need to live with your back like that. Instead, there are things you can do to improve matters. In this blog post, we’re going to run through what you can do to ease your discomfort and keep your back healthy.

Exercise Regularly

For starters, you have to make sure that you’re exercising — no buts! Exercise strengthens your back muscles, improves your joint flexibility, and promotes blood flow throughout your body. This doesn’t mean that you need to do high-intensity workouts. You can absolutely do more low-intensity options to enjoy the benefits of exercise. Simple activities like swimming, walking, or yoga can go a long way in reducing back pain. However, you might want to think about speaking to your doctor before starting any exercise routine, especially if you have a chronic medical condition.

Mind Your Posture 

Next, we have to recognize that poor posture is a huge contributor to back pain. Sitting or standing for too long and in a poor position puts pressure on your spine, which leads to discomfort and pain. This is why it’s essential to maintain proper posture throughout the day. Whether you’re sitting at your desk or driving your car, your back should be straight, your shoulders relaxed, and your feet flat on the ground. You should also look to avoid standing or sitting for too long as this can also strain your back muscles.

Choose the Right Pain Relief

Next, you might want to think about your pain management options. Seeing a back or spine specialist could help, as could a chiropractor or masseuse. It’s all about treating the issues to make the pain go away. But at the same time, if the pain becomes unbearable, taking medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be an option. However, be careful not to rely too heavily on them. Make sure to speak to your doctor to see if this is necessary.

Heat and Ice Therapy

Alongside this, using heat therapy can help soothe aching muscles and reduce stiffness in your back. You can apply a heat pack or take a warm bath to relax your muscles. Then try ice therapy. Apply a cold pack to the affected area can help decrease inflammation and pain. However, be careful not to apply heat or ice therapy for too long, as this can be counterproductive.

Taking Better Care of Your Back Today

It’s safe to say that back pain can be a hassle, but it’s manageable. Making simple changes in your lifestyle, such as exercising regularly and minding your posture, can help alleviate your discomfort. At the same time, seeing a specialist and applying heat and ice therapy can provide temporary relief. Ultimately, managing back pain requires patience, consistency, and discipline — but it’s worth it.