Tips to Ease Back Pain
When your back is sore, just about everything else gets harder. It’s tough to stand, sit, and even lie down. You’ll have trouble focusing, getting things done, and going about your day. In short, it makes things miserable. Sometimes, no matter what you do, you’re still in pain. Relief can feel impossible when you’re dealing with an aching back. However, there are ways to help. Here are a few tips to ease back pain.
Change How You Sleep
Yes, the way you sleep could be hurting your back. More specifically, the position you sleep might be causing pain. That’s because many sleep positions put pressure on your spine. For instance, sleeping on your stomach can flatten your spine’s natural curve, putting extra pressure on your joints and muscles. That means pain. If possible, try to sleep on your back or your side, and put a pillow below or between your legs to keep your spine in alignment.
Adjust Your Posture
Bad posture lead to pain. It’s quite straightforward. Sitting or standing with your shoulders slumped or slouched puts your whole body out of alignment and leads to pain and discomfort. If you want ease back pain, focus on standing with your shoulders back, knees straight, belly tucked in, and knees and hips in line with your shoulders. When sitting, place both feet flat on the floor, keep your shoulders back, and position your screen or monitor at eye level. Use a chair that supports your lower back. All of these tips will help ease back pain.
Stretch
Another way to ease back pain is to stretch regularly. Tense muscles cause pain. By taking a moment to stretch, you relax your muscles and help put your body back into alignment. Taking breaks throughout the day to stretch or move your body is so important. Even if you’re in pain, you don’t just want to sit still or lie in one spot. Try to move and stretch if you can, not to the point where it hurts, but enough to ease aching muscles. Not sure what stretches are right for you? Ask us! We can do a full evaluation of your situation, determine what may be causing your pain, and help you understand what stretches are best for you.
Use Heat and Cold
Ice packs can reduce swelling and inflammation. If you’ve suffered an injury, this can be very helpful. However, it’s recommended that you only apply ice for up to 20 minutes at a time and that you don’t apply it directly to your skin. On the other hand, heat can also help ease back pain. It can soothe aching muscles, increase blood flow, and help with relaxation. However, just like with ice, it’s important to not use too much heat or apply it directly to your skin.
Chiropractic Care
If you’ve tried to relieve your back pain on your own, and you’re still dealing with issues, we’re here to help. Book an appointment online for a complete evaluation or contact us if you have any questions. Through chiropractic care, we’ll help relieve stress and tension, help improve overall alignment, and ease back pain.