Does Back Pain Have You Down?

Back pain can affect many areas of your life. It can prevent you from leaving your house or exercising, making your day-to-day life so difficult. Many people suffer from one or another form of back discomfort. I remember years ago being prescribed with absolute bed rest after a painful bout of back discomfort that lasted several days. It didn't help a bit and after only the second day, it was 'business as usual' doing normal, everyday light activities, which did actually seem to help.

Today things are different and over the years there have been many studies carried out to find out exactly what kind of recovery techniques are best for those that suffer from back pain.

Remember though, we're all unique so what works for one person, may not be okay for another. Always check with a medical professional to make sure your back pain and any exercises you're thinking of embarking on are suitable.

In the next chapters you'll read about tips on what helped me and what didn't during my bouts of back discomfort. So continue reading to find some solutions for dealing with back discomfort and getting back to life.

Back discomfort can come from all sorts of underlying things including (but not limited to) poor posture, inappropriate footwear, poor lifting techniques, tension, sporting activities, incorrectly lifting heavy objects to name just a few back pain reasons.

Obviously there are all types of back problems and the intensity will vary from individual to individual depending on severity, but overall if you're experiencing a general kind of pain in your back there are some points to keep in mind to help you get on the road to recovery as soon as possible.

As a back pain sufferer for many years, I've been put through the wringer one way or another. Not everything helped so I hope these tips will help so you can keep from having to take strong and risky pain medication.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The information in this hub is not intended as a substitute for medical professional help or advice but is to be used only as an aid in understanding the highs and lows of the general back pain I experienced personally.

• Sleeping & Activity
• Causes of Back Discomfort
• Natural Remedies or Surgery
• Walking and Exercising
• Relaxation
• Breathing Techniques
• Sitting
• Posture

In my experience it's best to keep on being as active as possible during a bout of back discomfort, as it has been shown that activity is more useful to healing than resting in bed. But always take your back pain seriously. Some people don't listen to their bodies. Do not try to ignore your back discomfort. Attempting to make vigorous moves when you are in pain can actually make the pain worse. You will want to reduce your activity until your pain lessens.

Various types of back injuries will benefit from lying flat and bending the knees. This position reduces tension in the tendons and muscles which start in the back and continue through the legs. For some to alleviate and prevent back pain it is often smart to go to sleep on your side. To help keep your spine properly aligned, try putting a cushion between your knees. Sleeping on your tummy or back can lead to worsening the pain, however sleeping on your side with your legs slightly bent was beneficial in my case.

Bear in mind though, if you have severe back pain and are unable to schedule an appointment with your regular physician, consider going to the emergency room to avoid doing permanent damage to your spine.

Sleeping if you have a large belly (or one that houses a baby) cannot be done and sleeping can put strain on your back. Sleeping on one side is the best way to evenly distribute your weight.

Certain back conditions that could cause paralysis can be remedied with surgical intervention, depending on the case and the severity of your condition. There are other back conditions, although rare, where there is no other option but surgery. Often, surgery is used when dealing with degenerative diseases, which are difficult to understand and explain.

Don't forget not to neglect natural remedies where possible. Take a peek into your local natural foods or holistic store. There are so many remedies available, that you can get lost trying to find one that is right for you. Simply ask someone working there what may work for your back discomfort.

Relaxation is one of the best remedies for chronic back discomfort, and something as simple as a proper breathing technique can be a godsend to people who are suffering from pain. If you suffer from back discomfort, try to work on your breathing technique, using slow, deep breaths. This may help get rid of some pain in your back.

If you have used every back remedy you could think of to no avail, you might consider seeing a chiropractor. The chiropractor will examine you, take x-rays, and discuss your treatment plan with you. Once the chiropractor has had a chance to work on your back, you will probably see some pain relief.

Another thing you can do to help prevent or relieve back pain, is to try going for walks every day. Studies have revealed that going for walks helps lessen and even eliminate back discomfort, although performing certain physical exercises designed to relieve back pain can in some cases result in the pain becoming worse.

Though your back might hurt, specialists say that it is very important to walk at a brisk pace for about 3 hours each week to get any kind of back pain relief. Again, this works for some people depending on the intensity and severity of the pain.

A good time for stretching is when the muscles have not yet cooled down. Always stretch as part of your cool-down routine after walking or light exercising.

Relaxation and Breathing Techniques

Relaxation is one of the best remedies for chronic back discomfort, and something as simple as a proper breathing technique can be a godsend to people who are suffering from pain. If you suffer from back discomfort, try to work on your breathing technique, using slow, deep breaths. This may help get rid of some pain in your back.

Sitting and Posture

When sitting, always make sure you're straight. Bad posture will put strain on your spine and back. If sitting for long intervals is a necessity in your life, do so in a chair that supports your back comfortably. Try sitting on an exercise ball in order to improve your strength in your back and your posture.

Back support is essential! Think about an articulating arm that holds a computer monitor can be helpful for keeping back strain at bay. An articulating arm will swing your computer monitor out of your way.

Fortunately, there are many options when it comes to minimizing back discomfort, which will help you live a comfortable life. Don't just read the tips in this article, do them, and you will quickly see your symptoms starting to decrease. Remember that you have hope for a more comfortable, more mobile life. It is up to you to make this decision.