Back discomfort is extremely common, as many as 80% of adults experience back pain at some time during their life. Do not let this problem overwhelm you and try these tips first. With a bit of luck, you will be able to rid yourself of back discomfort without having to see a doctor.
Even though it is painful and serious, a back injury rarely receives immediate medical treatment. In the day or two they have to wait, a lot of people with such injuries find it hard to get comfortable in any position. A lot of people have discovered that lying flat on one’s back with one’s knees bent is the least painful resting position when dealing with a back injury. This position allows the lower back muscles and the tendons in the lower hips and thighs to relax.
Do not ignore the pain. Many people ignore pain and forget that their bodies need good care. Do not expect your pain to go away by itself. Too much movement can make pain worse. Take it slow until the pain fades.
Lay down and lift your legs as if you were sitting if your back hurts. This position will ease stress on the back more than other positions, and feels comfortable. However, sit in the position you find most comfortable; just make sure your spine is not twisted.
Time constraints and often laziness result in people trying to lift things that are far out of their reach. This is usually a shortcut people take and it can only make the problem worse. Always place yourself close to the object that you are trying to move, and do not rush the process.
You can protect your back by taking short walks during your breaks while you are at work. By stretching out your legs during regular periods of time, you are also stretching out your back muscles, which helps ease back pain and other cumulative compression injuries.
If you are experiencing back pain caused by spasms, you should try to calm them to get relief. The best way to accomplish this is to just lay down and place a heating pad on the aching muscles. Drink plenty of water and avoid eating foods rich in sodium until the pain goes away. This is due to the fact that not having enough water in your body can either cause or make the muscle spasms more intense.
The most common type of back discomfort is lower back pain, it is also the second most common reason that people have in seeing their doctor. Try to use the right precautions, and change the way you do things in order to protect your back. Since a large majority of the population will experience pain in their back at some point in their lives, you would do well to practice preventive measures.
Severe back discomfort should be reported to your physician. Your physician might want to do some tests, even blood tests, or they will get the medical history and perhaps give you some advice on what else needs done.
Surprising as it may be, coffee consumption can reduce chronic back discomfort. The reasoning behind the “coffee fix” is a recent medical study that demonstrated how the caffeine within the drink blocked adenosine, a chemical directly related to back pain. Adenosine stiffens your back, so drinking coffee will stretch out your back muscles and prevent pain.
You have read about how common back discomfort is, and sometimes it’s about finding what is causing you pain instead of jumping to the doctor right away. Take the advice that this article has given you, and make sure you are always taking good care of your back every day.