Aches and pains are never pleasant to deal with, but some can be worse than others. Back pain, in particular, can leave you feeling as though you can’t move or unable to do the activities that you usually would throughout the day. There are a lot of reasons why your back might be causing your problems, but the most common issue is bad posture. If you are dealing with back pain, here are some tips to help you ease your discomfort.
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Yoga/Pilates
If your problem does come down to posture, then doing these types of exercises could work wonders for you. They will help you align your spine correctly, as well as strengthen your core muscles which play a big role in supporting your back. You may find that these exercises also improve your overall balance and give you better muscles tone, too.
Invest in a Better Mattress
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Another reason why you might be having problems with your back is that the mattress you sleep on is poor quality or old. You must have a mattress that will support your body properly while you sleep, not only to ease muscular pain but also to ensure a good night’s sleep. If you’re waking up feeling aches and pains or having found yourself tossing and turning all night, you should think about investing in a new mattress that is more comfortable and supportive.
Avoid Sitting and Standing for Long Periods
Sitting down at a desk all day will not be good for you, nor will spending hours on your feet. It’s a good idea to mix it up throughout the day, which is why standing desks have become popular with workers in the last few years. This will allow you to stretch out and, if the desk is aligned properly, should help you to avoid slouching, too. Try getting out of the office or house for a short walk on your lunch break, too.
OTC Pain Relief
If you’re trying all of the above and you’re still finding your back is causing you grief, then you can use over-the-counter pain relief to help you feel more comfortable. You should try to avoid depending on these medications too much, and if they aren’t working for you, you should speak to your doctor. They will be able to investigate the issue to find a better resolution and perhaps be able to offer you stronger pain relief if they feel it is safe and necessary to do so. You may even have to get an MRI of your back to see what the problem is. If you don’t want to wait for a doctor to refer you for an MRI scan, you can always turn to self-pay services like Express MRI if you would prefer.
Lose Weight
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Another reason why you might be experiencing back pain is that you are overweight, and if you’re not careful, this could lead to a range of other health issues as well. Excess weight puts more pressure on your joints, which is why you end up experiencing more aches and pains than usual. If you have been struggling with your weight and want to make a change, there are support groups to join, or you can speak to your doctor about getting in touch with a nutritionist who can assist you with a healthy diet plan.
Get a New Couch
Just like a bad mattress can cause back pain, so can sitting on couches or armchairs that offer poor support. Over time, your couch cushions will get worn out and start to lose their shape, which can result in you sitting in a more awkward position than usual. If your couch or armchairs are old, you might want to think about investing in some new furniture. Not only could this help you back, but it’s also a great opportunity to improve the aesthetics of your living space, too.
Try Acupuncture
If you are doing stretching and strengthening exercises, but they still aren’t resolving your back pain, you could look into trying acupuncture. This is a technique that goes back to ancient China and can work wonders at easing aches and pains as well as other ailments.
Visit a Chiropractor
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If acupuncture isn’t something you want to try, then a visit to a chiropractor might be a better option for you. If your back pain is severe or persists no matter what you try, you should certainly make an appointment to find the solution to the problem. They can help to improve your posture, amongst other things, to relieve the pain you’re experiencing. If they can’t seem to figure out what your issue is, you might want to return to your GP and see if you can get referred for further tests.
Be More Active
Yoga and Pilates are great for stretching you out, but they are not the only exercises that could help improve your situation. Being more active in general could help to alleviate your aches and pains, particularly if you are someone who works in a sedentary job. Going for walks on your lunch break or in the evening could help. Swimming is also a great way to work out without putting little pressure on your joints. Cycling could also be beneficial to you for the same reason. You might want to try and ease yourself into more regular workouts with low-impact activities at first to avoid exacerbating your back pain.
Get a Massage
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The reason you might be experiencing pain is due to stress, and getting a massage is one of the most relaxing activities you can do. There are different kinds of massages that can help you to feel more Zen, but you can also look at deep tissue or sports massages if you are having muscular pain. They are a little more intensive, and while they can be mildly uncomfortable at first, you’ll feel great afterward.
If you’re experiencing back pain, consider the points above and see if they can help you resolve the problem. Remember, if your back pain is severe or does not seem to be going away, always see your doctor do further health checks.
