You didn't plan for this to happen, but back pain has struck you during your vacation in the Tampa Bay area. Whether you tweaked your lower back during the flight or twisted awkwardly while picking up heavy luggage, your discomfort is threatening what's supposed to be relaxed, lazy days. Depending on how severe your pain is, you may be able to relieve your symptoms - or at least manage them - while you're vacationing.

Find some Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

One of the first steps you should take to help relieve mild to moderate pain is to find a bottle of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, like ibuprofen or naproxen. Even minor twinges to your lower back can often cause your body to trigger an inflammatory response, one of the many defense mechanisms your body launches when injured or infected. In addition to causing the skin of the affected area to be warm to the touch, inflammation (caused by proteins called cytokines) can affect the delicate nerve structures in your back and may very well be the cause of your back pain. If you can't get to a drugstore in Tampa, St Petersburg, or Clearwater, ask the front desk attendant at your hotel if he or she has NSAIDs available for sale. If you follow the package dosage directions for a day or more, the inflammation associated with your back pain may subside just in time for you to hit the golf course.

Soak, Relax, or Swim in Water

Since you are visiting an area with some of the most highly rated beaches in the country, it makes sense to have some beach time on your schedule. Even if you're suffering with back pain, floating in the Gulf of Mexico could help relieve your discomfort, especially if the water is warm. Soaking in warm water - whether in the ocean, a hot tub, or a bathtub - could help relieve muscle tension and stress that can exacerbate back pain. You should keep in mind, however, that inflammation may persist if heat is applied to the affected area of your spine.

Schedule a Massage

If you're staying at a resort in the Tampa Bay area that has a spa, you can easily schedule a therapeutic massage. Oftentimes, tension and frequent spasms in the muscles of the lower back are the cause of pain, or are at least a significant contributing factor. For example, muscle spasms can harden a muscle, and if not treated, can cause a knot to form. The knot could eventually become a trigger point, which can, in turn, pull on ligaments and tendons in the back, causing pain and muscle weakness.

A massage from a licensed massage therapist - whether at your hotel spa or at a nearby day spa - could help ease muscle tension, work out any knots caused by spasms, and may do wonders to help relieve your back pain.

Keep Moving

Trying to enjoy your vacation in the Tampa Bay area with back pain may not be enjoyable, and you can take it easy for a few days, but you should do everything in your power to keep your body moving and stretching while you're working through the pain. Taking walks along the beach or doing gentle yoga or stretching during sunrise can not only help bring oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood flow to the affected area, but can also help release tight muscles and improve flexibility, which could help mitigate some of your pain.

In the event that your discomfort reaches a critical level, ask the hotel staff for suggestions regarding nearby clinics, doctors, and hospitals that might be able to help you further.