Back pain is one of the most common ailments among adults at any age. Back pain of any kind can leave you uncomfortable in just about any position and impact your daily activities. If you’re looking for some easy tips to manage your back pain from home, we have some advice for you.
Give these tips a try to help you get some much-needed relief from your daily back pain while at home:
To give you relief and prevent further damage or pain in your back, it’s crucial to practice and maintain good posture, especially when seated for long periods of time. Keep your head centered in line with your pelvis and avoid slouching your shoulders or chin forward. To help maintain an aligned spine, try using assistive devices such as footrests, straps, bands, and more.
Strong core muscles can help support your back, decreasing your likelihood of developing pain. Maintaining strong muscles with weight lifting, exercise, and improving your flexibility through stretching can both relieve and prevent stiffness and pain in your back.
You may not feel like getting up and moving around if you’re in serious pain, but that’s the exact opposite of what any doctor would recommend! Even if you’re noticing some back pain, get up and continue your typical daily activities and movement. If you are typically sedentary most of the day, try setting aside some time for physical activity, even if it’s just going for a brisk, 30-minute walk. The goal is to maintain a healthy weight; keep your blood flowing throughout the day, and to avoid weakening your muscles.
You may have been told one of these methods is better than the other when it comes to treating your back pain, but in reality, they both work well depending on your body. Traditionally, ice is used to manage swelling and inflammation, while heat is better to relax stiff muscles. Give both a try 20 minutes at a time to see which your body responds best to.
Nonprescription medications can help relieve those backaches and pains to help you heal. There are various options that will manage your pain levels, but when making your choice, be sure to select the proper medication for your needs. Keep in mind that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will help relieve inflammation, making them a better choice for those with arthritis or another inflammatory health condition. In contrast, acetaminophen does not help reduce inflammation.
If your back pain persists, it may be time to seek some guidance and assistance from a trusted team of expert doctors. A doctor can look for any serious complications or health concerns that could be contributing to your pain and recommend the best methods to help you return to pain-free, happy living.
Here at Long Island Brain & Spine, we understand how draining it is to struggle with daily pain, but we want to assure you that treatment is available! Our board-certified pain management doctors are highly skilled and trained in diagnosing and treating back pain and related health conditions. Providing our patients with viable treatment methods utilizing innovative methods and state-of-the-art technology is our key to success.
For more information on how we can help you, please visit our website or give us a call at 631-422-5371.