It is a known fact that sometime during our lifetime, we will all experience some sort of back pain. According to a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health, back pain was discovered to be the second most regular neurological condition that affects people in the United States.
Natural remedies are becoming the popular choice for many people to treat their back pain these days because a lot of the prescription drugs carry bad side effects and they can be very expensive to buy. These remedies are considered to be a safe and cost efficient alternative to treat and hopefully cure back pain. Lets take a look at some of these natural remedies that are used to cure back pain.
Back pain is often treated by ice packs that are applied to troublesome pain areas on the back. This is a simple treatment that can be accomplished by taking ice cubes and sealing them in a plastic bag. Then you will need to place a towel over your back and then simply place the ice pack over the pain area and in most cases, you will get immediate relief from your pain.
Another way that you can relieve pain is to take a nice long hot bath. Most people are not aware that this can be an effective way to relieve their back pain. This is effective because the heat that is generated by the hot water increases the elasticity of your muscles. Make sure if you are going to do this that you spend a good amount of time soaking in the tub as the hot water will also improve your blood circulation and it will reduce the tension in your muscles.
A good massage can also help to relieve back pain. Everyone likes to be pampered by a great soothing massage and this is a proven method that helps to alleviate pain. Make sure that you are dealing with a professional massage therapist because this could make your back pain worse if the therapist does not know what he or she is doing. Let you therapist know about your back pain before the massage and that way he or she will be prepared to apply pressure to the appropriate areas during your session so you can get the maximum benefit.
It has been proven that excessive stress in your life can also lead to back pain. This can happen when you have physical and mental stress that has been overwhelming and piling up on you for a long period of time. You need to take the proper steps to deal with this stress such as taking time for yourself to relax and unwind each day and doing breathing exercises along with getting the proper amount of sleep which is at least 6 or 8 hours in a day. This will fasten the healing process.
Contrary to what you have probably heard, bed rest is not an option for your back pain. Most doctors will advise that you should keep moving around because complete bed rest can make your condition worse than it already is. Also, make sure that you do not jump right out of bed first thing in the morning. Take the time to gently turn toward your side and that way you can get out of bed more easily and hopefully without pain.
Depending on your case, you may be advised to do certain exercises to help the healing process. If you have strained muscles, you can get relief by doing stretching exercises. Do not attempt to do your own exercises without consulting your doctor as you will only make your back condition worse. Most of the time your doctor will advise you to do mild or moderate exercises such as walking or swimming. This exercise will also help you to control your weight which is a major factor in aggravating back pain.
If you are required to lift objects off the floor at your job, make sure to bend your knees and not lift with your back muscles. This will ensure that you do not put stress on your back muscles and make your condition worse.
I hope that you found this information useful and if you would like more information on ways to live healthy, then please visit my healthy living web site where you will find great information to help you live a long and healthy life.
