Although back pain sounds like something that only your grandmother or grandfather would complain about, it is something that anyone could suffer from. Back pains don’t only occur during old age due to degenerative musculoskeletal disorders, but it could also be a result of improper posture, accidents, or traumas. Be it chronic or acute; it is important to know how to deal with it. Below are some helpful tips from Hills Chiropractor Pros that could provide you relief just in case of an episode of back pain:
NSAIDs or pain relievers – also known as acetaminophen, painkillers are an effective temporary relief for a bad episode of back pain. Although it does not cure the cause of the ache itself, it is a good way to relieve the pain while your back is healing. Of course, although these medications are over the counter, it is important that you have your back pain checked by a physician first, so you will know that the kind of back pain that you have is just a single episode that will eventually go away and nothing more.
Hot and cold compress – by alternately applying a heat pack and an ice pack every 10 minutes on the area of where your back pain is mostly felt, this relieves the inflammation and at the same time numbing the area. That is of course if the cause of the pain is inflammation due to trauma or injury directed at your back.
Lie down and rest – sometimes back pains could be due to improper posture, sitting the wrong way, or twisting your back the wrong way. This can be eventually relieved by lying down with your raised against a wall or a high chair for at least 30 minutes, two times a day. Your torso and should be at a 90-degree angle with your straightened legs to stretch and relax the muscles of your back. This will relieve the pain in a matter of days as long as you do it constantly.
Drink plenty of water – because our joints and ligaments are mainly cushioned by a liquid that prevents the bones from grinding into each other, it is important to keep yourself hydrated. The disks in your spine should be well hydrated, so you will not experience unnecessary back pain. And besides, properly hydrating yourself has a positive effect on your body and therefore it is a win-win for your health in general.
And last but not the least, do proper and frequent stretching – sitting behind a desk for extended periods of time or straining your back from hunching while walking will eventually lead to back trauma. By stretching out your body, it will loosen up your back and help relieve any nerve that was caught in between your spine.