Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

A study has shown that back pain is more common than many of us think. Nearly 80% of the adult population experiences back pain throughout their life. Do not let this problem overwhelm you and try these tips first. It is often possible to treat back pain without outside intervention.

Anyone who has recently suffered a bad back injury might have to wait a day or so to schedule an appointment to deal with it, and comfortable sitting and lying are difficult in the meantime. Try lying flat on your back with your knees bent to take some pressure off your back. This position reduces the stress on the muscles and tendons from the legs up to the back.

Depending upon the task at hand, you should always take care to avoid prolonged stress on any one muscle group. Avoid repetitive movements at work or while performing tasks at home. Changing your posture and simply moving around your whole body can help.

When you are in the throes of back discomfort, you have to attempt to quiet muscle spasms. The best way to accomplish this is to just lay down and place a heating pad on the aching muscles. It may also be a good idea to drink more fluids than usual and lower the sodium in your diet until the pain diminishes. This is to prevent dehydration, which can heighten muscle spasms.

If your back discomfort cannot be otherwise aided, a physician might suggest surgery. If less invasive procedures haven't provided enough relief, surgery is an avenue to explore. Surgery can also offer the only permanent cure for back injury or other conditions that produce chronic back discomfort.

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 also other back conditions that can improve through surgery. A lot of times these situations are diseases of degenerative nature, or pain that has no cause.

Lay completely limp, as a relaxation technique. Now, concentrate on particular regions of the body and particular muscle groups, flexing them independently in a gradual manner. This technique is relaxing for the entire body and acts as a sort of tune-up

1

It may seem absurd, however, a cup of coffee can be beneficial in relieving back discomfort. Medical studies have proven that the coffee's caffeine blocks adenosine, a chemical in your body. Adenosine can cause back stiffness, so coffee drinking may help you stretch your back muscles, resulting in less pain.

Maintain good posture. If you have bad posture you will strain your back when you do not have to! If, for any reason, you sit for a long time during the day, you need a supportive and comfortable chair. Exercise balls can be great for sitting because they encourage good posture and make sure your back stays straight and strong.

Stay away from movements and elements that trigger back pains or back spasms for you. This includes lifting heavy things, caffeine, not getting enough sleep, dehydration or stress. When you do have a back spasm, rest with a hot pack on your back to help the pain subside.

Riding in a car commonly causes back pains, this is due to the excessive amount of time we spend in the car each day. Adjust your seat so that you don't have to strain your back to reach the pedals and steering wheel.

If you can afford it, one of the best methods to get rid of back discomfort is to actually seek professional physical therapy. You can go to your local hospital; they can direct you to a therapist. Although costly, a physical therapist provides excellent help to you.

If you must sit in an office chair during most of your workday, and you have back pain, make sure the chair provides enough back support for you. If the lumbar region, which is the lower section of your back, does not get the proper support, you can be subject to significant amounts of back pain. Buy a pillow and put it behind you in the lower region of your back for extra support.

Back problems are often triggered by computer setups that cause back strain. If you suffer from back discomfort, and you often use a computer, put the keyboard and the screen right in front of your body, and keep your monitor even with your eyes.

Keep your back supported! An articulating arm can really reduce the strain on your back in the office. This device holds your computer monitor and allows it to be moved out of your way.

Police your posture! Once you are conscious of your posture, it is easier to correct it so that your back pain will decrease. Bad posture can lead to a sore back, so by being aware of the issue you can effectively cut down on the possibility of a sore back. Make sure you reward yourself for good posture behavior!

Yoga can help to lessen back discomfort. Yoga is quite therapeutic. It can help you to naturally correct some of the misalignment in your spine. It can also help you loosen up any tight muscles or joints, and help you feel more relaxed. Nearly all gyms offer yoga classes.

Taking walks while focusing on proper posture may lessen some of the stress on your back. This motion is great for your back.

It will likely be quite helpful to visit your doctor to get help with your back discomfort, but you will need to know what questions you need to ask him. Ask why you are having the pain, how you can keep it under control, what you can do for relief and what the risks are.

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.

herniated disc surgery