How to Eliminate Back Pain
Back pain affects millions of individuals annually, some of it chronic and some acute--such as that following an injury. While a chiropractor or doctor may be required, much can be done at home to aleviate the condition. These tips can help you eliminate back pain and reduce its impact on your daily life. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Heating pad and/or cold pack
- Mattress topper (optional)
- Pharmacy (optional)
Instructions
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Ensure that you know the source of your back pain and/or refer to a health professional before undertaking any new methods aimed at back pain relief. The wrong treatment may worsen the problem.
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Look to your mattress if you wake up to back pain and stiffness. It should be firm enough to support your back but not hard and uncomfortable. If there is sagging, it is time to replace the mattress. If the mattress feels too firm or the springs are bothersome a mattress topper can provide significant relief. Investigate memory foam, pillow toppers and latex at a bedding store. Each has advantages and disadvantages. If you elect to buy memory foam ensure that it is at least 3 or 4 lb. density and a minimum of 2 inches thick for long wear and good comfort.
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Try exercises that relieve back pain and prevent it from occurring when your fitness or posture is responsible. Most postural alignment exercises are relatively easy and some can be done while sitting. If your lower back is prone to injury, abdominal exercises designed to strengthen your pelvic girdle and support the back may offer tremendous benefit. Many orthopedic doctors will recommend certain exercises following a back strain or sprain. Additionally, walking is one of the best exercises to keep your back pain-free.
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Apply heat and/or cold to eliminate back pain quickly. Cold packs typically help following an injury or when inflammation is present, but these can also help with other pain. Heating pads work to relax muscles which are tight or prone to spasm. Moist heat is generally superior to dry and a decent thermal pad should retain its heat for 20 to 30 minutes.
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Employ massage to eliminate back pain due to sore muscles and muscle tightness. Obtain a professional massage or learn how to perform one at home. Note that supportive muscles may be affected, so focus on the neck, hamstrings and glutes as needed.
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Talk to a pharmacist about oral and topical analgesics designed to eliminate back pain as a considerable variety exists. Some medications work better on skeletal pain and others better help muscle pain. If there is inflammation, only specific medications nicknamed NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may offer relief but are not suitable for some individuals.
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Meditation or self-hypnosis may work when all other measures fail. As back pain is frequently chronic and pain medication brings limited relief other pain management is often employed. This includes some form of meditation that both relaxes the body and mind, and improves pain tolerance.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider some form of water therapy such as a steam bath or jacuzzi to eliminate back pain as well as aquatic exercise to improve conditioning.
Back pain may also be a sign of illness such as a kidney infection, among other causes. Consult a physician for new back pain without an apparent cause.
Resources
- Photo Credit © Yanik Chauvin - Fotolia.com, permission granted
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Comments
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Caymen
Sep 27, 2008
You metioned excercise that can improve your back pain. Unfortunatly you, like every one else fails to metion where to get the insight for the exact excercise. Back pain can be linked directly to body alignment, (posture). Posture is efected by the muscles which hold your joints in their place. Fairly simple huhh. Ok so WHY do our muscles fail to keep our body in alignment , ( this is the key here) because with every emotion we hold inside of us will directly effect our tension with in a muscle. Over time this tension will creat a unballence with in the body. For example a person experinces stress from work, this person's tension goes directly to the right side of his neck. Over time this creates a imbalence to the left side which intern can effect the shoulder, because the shoulder is now off ballence the hip is unbalenced creating a dominoe effect over time potentially effecting many p -
Caymen
Sep 27, 2008
You metioned excercise that can improve your back pain. Unfortunatly you, like every one else fails to metion where to get the insight for the exact excercise. Back pain can be linked directly to body alignment, (posture). Posture is efected by the muscles which hold your joints in their place. Fairly simple huhh. Ok so WHY do our muscles fail to keep our body in alignment , ( this is the key here) because with every emotion we hold inside of us will directly effect our tension with in a muscle. Over time this tension will creat a unballence with in the body. For example a person experinces stress from work, this person's tension goes directly to the right side of his neck. Over time this creates a imbalence to the left side which intern can effect the shoulder, because the shoulder is now off ballence the hip is unbalenced creating a dominoe effect over time potentially effecting many p
