Back pain strikes countless individuals and can range from a mild discomfort to a seriously disabling condition. For some, it is brought on by a constant stress placed on the back through things like heavy lifting or moving; while for others it can come from simply sitting still for far too long.
Take over-the-counter pain medications first. A simple over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication can usually take the edge off most backaches. Follow the instructions on the label, and take it as directed when your back starts acting up. If it isn’t enough, consider paying a visit to your doctor.
Make sure you keep the amount of twisting to a minimum, especially if you’re carrying something heavy. If you’re twisting or turning excessively, you could end up pulling a muscle or damaging your spine. When at all possible, keep the amount of twisting you do to a minimum, if you can’t eliminate it completely.
Always take time to stretch, regardless of whether you will encounter strenuous activity. If you stretch, you are giving your back more preparation for the day ahead, without which you could be allowing yourself to experience pain and even injuries. Even if you aren’t planning a stressful day, you want to make sure that you are stretching sufficiently to loosen those muscles in the back that are used so often.
Use safe lifting practices. If you lift by bending your knees, you transfer the stress of the lift from your spine to the muscles of your legs. This can reduce the incidence of spasms and reduce the pain that goes along with repetitive lifting motions. If you feel a strain in your back while lifting, you are probably doing it wrong.
Do not lift anything that is too far away from you. Always move closer to the object and do not twist around to grab something like in the back seat of a car for example. Do not extend from the couch and reach for things that are too far away either.
Many people do not know this, but nicotine hinders the flow of nutrient rich blood to spinal discs. This easily causes back pain and therefore means smokers are highly susceptible to back pain. If you smoke then it is recommended you should quit for many reasons, and now you can make this yet another reason.
If you suffer from issues with the cartilage in your spine, you can avoid pain by avoiding sitting for long periods of time. Sitting compresses the disks in your spine, because it causes your abdomen to press backwards. Try reclining, or using a lumbar cushion if you must sit, and take frequent breaks to stand up.
Aging brings about increased risk and inevitability of back pain. Therefore, since age is unavoidable, it should be clear that you should take every other precaution that you can in order to maintain back health and keep the back pain away. While age will always be at play, so will all the other things that you are doing to help yourself.
Lie down and let the body go limp to practice relaxation. Focus on one muscle after another and flex it slowly. This can help your whole body relax and improve its function.
Many people do not think about back pain until it is too late. Most everyone is not active enough in their daily life. It is imperative that one stays active and physically fit. Also, when one gets a cold or a fever, it is often thought that rest is the key. Well, true to an extent, but getting active plays a vital role to optimized health including in your back.
Finding the cause of your back pain is a great way to start working on a solution to stop it. Most often, finding proper back support will greatly ease the issue and lead to a more comfortable life. If possible, the best results will come when the pain is spotted in its infancy and prevented from advancing.
