First of all, one of the concepts that I have learned as a patient was that in order to successfully treat your low back pain I had to realize that it cannot be done with pain pills or any type of muscle relaxers. They may slow down or stop the symptoms temporarily. But if the cause is not focused or corrected, the damage will continue. It may even get worse because you cannot feel the pain signals your body is trying to give you.
To give you a little background knowledge, it can be difficult to find exactly what the exact cause of your lower back pain is, even with today technology. At the center of our back is the spine, with a sophisticated inter linking of vertebrae and various bones. The spinal column itself is supported by a complex array of muscles and ligaments. Any type of shift in your spinal column alignment causes the muscles to tighten up and go into spasm, making the muscle work continuously, which is just nature's way of protecting itself.
My chiropractor has helped many patients in the Orlando, FL area to successfully treat various types of pain and I am sure he is always asked if there is a popular strategy or immediate cure. Unfortunately there is no magic bullet or one exercise that will cure your pain. I know that is not what you want to hear but fortunately all it takes is a little consistent effort and with this these helpful tips you should begin to feel some pain relief.
1. If you drive, pay really close attention to how you get in and out of the car. Sit down facing the door and swing both legs into the car together. If you are going on a long distance road trip, be sure to take breaks often and walk around a bit.
2. Walking is one of the best exercises you can do to help relieve back pain. A recent study found that a group of low back pain patients who did 3 hours brisk walking per week had less pain and distress than a group who were given specific low back exercises.
3. Consider doing some simple stretches to improve your overall flexibility and help relax those over tight muscles. Your healthcare practitioner should be able to advise you which ones are best for you. A popular one is called a cat stretch.
4. Always focus on keeping your back straight when lifting, no matter how light the object may be. If you are in serious pain, I would suggest not lifting anything at all until pain area improves.
5. Perhaps it is time for a new mattress. Over time a hole or indentation begins to form where you sleep. This causes a dip in your mattress which causes your back to sleep in a curved angle. If finances are tight, try just flipping your mattress over.
6. If you are in terrible pain try lying on your back, on the floor, with your feet and lower legs up over a chair. Place a pillow under your head and try to relax by taking deep breathes. Try to put your mind in a calm setting.
7. With more people spending time in front of computers, try focusing on keeping your back straight when seated at all times. You would not believe how many people sit slouched over with their backs curving way out of proportion.
For example, look at yourself right now as you read this article. I bet you were unconciously slouching a bit and you just now forced yourself to sit straight up. Consider purchasing a new computer chair where your back is always straight where you can lean against the back of your chair which will naturally prop your back up straight.
Always seek medical help if your pain increases. Better to get it treated immediately than wait it out and hope for the best.
Once you know what is wrong you can begin to focus on rehabilitation. Usually there are many options to explore including surgery, Yoga or Pilates, and of course Chiropractic Care.
The information in this article are not immediate cures but friendly suggestions of what you can begin to do in order to help reduce lower back pain. There are different solutions for different people and you should seek your own Chiropractic help.
