Too often, people skip their workout because their back is sore. However, that’s one of the worst things you can do. I show clients in Richmond Hill, GA how to ease your back pain without drugs and in a way that gets more permanent relief. Back pain is a serious and painful condition. It can cause endless nights of sleeplessness and interfere with productivity throughout the day. Statistics show that as much as two percent of the American population have back problems that interfere with work. Calculate in those with pain that continue to work and you have a huge number of people suffering. Part of the reason for back pain is sitting too long, lack of activity and lack of functional fitness.
Start with moving more.
You can prevent back pain and help it feel better if you have it by moving more. Today’s population has more sedentary jobs than they did in the past. Unfortunately, that means moving less and the prolonged lack of movement tends to shorten the muscles in the lower back. That leads to back pain. Getting up, moving around and yes, even bending over or stretching can help you feel better or reduce the potential for back pain.
Building your core muscles is imperative for back pain reduction.
If you don’t have strong abdominal muscles or other core muscles, those in your back are doing all the work. That can cause misalignment and back problems or tension pain from overwork. Rather than continue with back pain, start doing exercises to boost your core strength. As a side benefit, you’ll build your abs and look far better. Strong stomach muscles support the spine, just as good posture does. Make sure you stand and sit up straight to reduce the chance of back problems.
Do stretching throughout the day and when back pain starts.
Your first instinct when you feel back pain is to take an aspirin or ibuprofen and lay down, but that’s not the best move. If you’re at home, one quick exercise that can help is to lay on the floor with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Hold a towel with one end in each hand. Lift a foot and loop the towel around its sole. Slowly pull the leg straight up. Hold and lower. You may not be able to straighten your leg to a perpendicular position, but you’ll feel the tug and release. Then do the other leg. Rock and roll your back pain away. Lay on the floor, knees bent, then—keeping your shoulders flat—lay the legs to one side of your body, then back straight up and to the other side.
- Some herbal teas can help improve circulation and provide anti-inflammatory benefits. White willow bark was the first form of aspirin. It does not have the side effects of stomach distress does as its manufactured counterpart. Turmeric is another anti-inflammatory.
- Lack of circulation, lack of strength and flexibility are reasons for many backaches. Start a program of regular exercise to improve all three areas and watch back pain improve.
- Losing weight and getting into shape helps tremendously. Obesity can create a tremendous pull on the body, particularly when the weight is primarily in the front. You’ll get relief from back problems as you shed pounds, but it will take some time.
- Instant relief can come from soaking in an Epsom salt bath. In fact, you can also get it by soaking your feet. Epsom salt contains magnesium and that it can soak up through the soles of the feet transdermally to help relax muscles and ease pain.