How To Stop Back Pain

How to Stop Back Pain

The simplest tasks can be painful and difficult for people with back problems and neck problems. Over 80% of the population suffers from an occurrence of back pain symptoms in their lives, and the rate of recurrence is very high in the following 6-9 months. In just the United States alone, treatments for back problems are a $15 billion industry per year.  There are many various types of back pain, and no one particular treatment is right for everyone. Despite this, there are many things that can be done to improve back-health and decrease back pain symptoms:

Ice/ Heat:       These two natural treatments can do wonders for decreasing lower back pain.Generally, you would use ice alone for up to 72 hours after the injury.ALWAYS place a towel or cloth between the ice and the skin. After the 72 hours, you can use heat as needed, or you can alternate ice and heat for 20 minutes each.  The ice calms the pain and the heat relaxes the muscles and increases blood flow.

Other treatments:

Creams such as BENGAY can be helpful.  Sitting in a hot tub or whirlpool can help relieve muscle spasms (painful muscle tightness).  Over the counter pain medications are often used.  You can seek treatment from medical doctors or alternative providers such as Chiropractors and Acupuncturists.  Providers may prescribe physical therapy and certain lower back exercises.

Preventing Backache:

Posture:           

Sitting at a desk all day can really cause backaches and pains.  Make sure that you sit with your back against your chair and both feet flat on the floor. Keep your back straight and try to keep your shoulders back.If you can’t sit comfortably against the back of the chair, use a lumbar support.

Bending problems:

Lots of people throw out their back when they bend to pick things up.  You should bend at the knees and hips – NOT the waist.  Keep your back straight when you bend and NEVER twist while bending.

Strengthening your “core”:

Your “core” includes your abdominal muscles. Try walking or riding a bike if possible. Exercises such as leg lifts and sit-ups, if you are able to comfortably perform them,will help to strengthen your “core”.  Popular exercises like toe touches and crunches can be terrible for the back.

Lightening your load can help:

If you are carrying an object that weighs more than 10% of your body weight, it is too heavy. If you must carry a purse, knapsack, briefcase, etc., make sure to switch the object to the opposite arm at least every 30 minutes.  Losing weight can take stress off the back.

The way you sleep:

The way you sleep can affect back pain: Your bed should be soft enough that your body sinks slightly into the mattress. Your mattress needs to support the curves of your spine.You do not want a bed that is too firm or too soft.  Your pillow should not elevate your head to the point where your neck is not straight with the rest of your spine.  There are special pillows that allow you to keep your neck straight and cradle your head.  They generally have a roll shape at one end that supports the neck and prevents the head from being elevated.

Diet:    

Vitamin K has been shown to help make the bones denser by assisting the deposit of Calcium.  Denser bones are stronger and therefore less susceptible to back
injury. Vitamin K can be found in green leafy vegetables like spinach and broccoli.

·            Limping/Coordination Problems

·            Severe Guarding of Movement 

·            Spinal PointTenderness 

·            Loss of Feeling  

·            Significant Levels of Pain 

·            Significant Loss of Muscle Strength 

·            Significant Loss of Muscle Size 

·            Organ Pain

·            Bowel or Bladder Dysfunction 

·            Night Pain

Want more? Check out this site for info on How to Stop Back Pain