Back pain relief can seem as elusive as the warm days of summer when you’re stuck in the frigid winter months. However, that doesn’t mean waiting around for better days is your only option. Back pain relief is achievable through some basic stretches and exercises.
Read on to uncover some of the causes of back pain and three ways you can get rid of it.
It’s estimated that nearly 10 percent of the population currently suffer from pain in the lower back. Trust us when we say you’re not alone. Eight out of 10 Americans will have some type of back problem in their lifetime, and that number is on the rise.
Back problems can appear for a variety of reasons. Some common ones are injury, pregnancy, arthritis, muscle strain, sitting for long periods of time, and more.
Knowing some of the common causes of back pain gives us a unique insight into ways to treat it.
1. Massage Therapy
The back is filled with dozens of interlocking bones, muscles, ligaments, and nerves. Often back pain occurs because of the extra strain in an isolated part of the neck or back. Here’s where massage therapy comes in.
Massage therapy helps relax the muscles and ligaments and release some of the uneven tension. It works by decreasing nerve compression and increasing range of motion. Another way that it helps is by increasing the blood circulation to the muscles.
This helps the muscles better release waste products in the cells that may be resulting in excessive fatigue and pain. You can schedule a massage as frequently or infrequently as you want. To get started all you need to do is schedule a simple 30-minute massage.
Bonus Tip: The best follow up to a good massage is to get a good night’s sleep. At night try to position your body so that your spinal column is straight. A good technique is to lie on your side with a pillow in between your knees.
2. Exercise and Healthy Living
Pregnant women and people that are overweight tend to experience excess strain on their back as well. This can be controlled with exercise and healthy living. Even if you are pregnant and supposed to be gaining weight it’s still important to do it in a controlled manner.
Start out exercising in the pool. Aquatic aerobics are very easy on the joints and muscles, resulting in gentle stretching, decreased strain on the muscles, stronger muscles and ligaments, and less back pain.
Healthy living is a broad topic that encompasses the thousands of choices you make every day, from the food you eat to how you spend your free time. When trying to curb back pain, making a few simple healthy changes can go a long way.
These include drinking more water, eating foods rich in vitamins and minerals, and maintaining a healthy weight. Doing these things will give your body the fuel it needs to fight off muscle fatigue and strain in the back.
3. Stretching for Back Pain Relief
If you don’t have access to a pool or a gym, you can still get pain relief benefits, through stretching! Stretching is important even for those of us who aren’t runners or athletes.
Set a goal to stretch two or three times a day, although you’re certainly not limited to these numbers. You could stretch once when you wake up, during a small break in the day, and again when you go to bed.
Stretching, like gentle exercise, can help you strengthen those muscles and eliminate some of the tension and pain in your back. Be sure to start slow and to listen to your body. It is possible to do more damage than good if you push yourself too hard, too fast.
If you have any questions about where to start, talk with our team. We’ve worked with hundreds of individuals struggling with back pain and we can help you too. Call us today to schedule a consultation and get back to living life uninterrupted!
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