The Most Effective Back Pain Treatment

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people go to a chiropractor – it is a leading cause of health issues worldwide. Luckily, there are measures we can take to prevent and relieve most back pain. But most people don’t prevent it, so simple home treatments might put them back on their feet, or it might heal itself within a couple of weeks. Surgery is rarely necessary to treat back pain. However, not all people experience mild back pains, as sometimes the pain is severe, causing people to miss work or other important events. 

Symptoms of back pain

Back pain usually causes muscle aches, burning, or stabbing sensations. Additionally, the pain might worsen and go down on your feet. This may cause you to not be able to bend, twist, lift, stand, or walk. As you can imagine, this causes you to stay in bed for quite a long time. In this case, seeing a doctor is necessary. 

The back pain usually goes away with massages and a lot of self-care. Within a few days, you will be able to go back to your normal routines. Contact a chiropractor if your back pain persists for many weeks, and doesn’t improve with rest. If the pain spreads down on your legs, causes weakness, or is accompanied by weight loss, it means that your back pain signals a severe medical problem. These cases are rare, but they can happen to anyone, and cause other back injuries. 

Causes of back pain

Although back pains usually occur due to unpleasant events, such as workplace accidents, they can also develop without a cause. The doctor can identify the cause linked to your back pain by doing a test. 

Common conditions related to back pains:

  • Spinal degeneration
  • Injury
  • Muscle and ligament strain
  • Osteoporosis 
  • Arthritis 

If you experience back pains, make sure you go to a clinic and talk to a qualified doctor to help you. Go to a chiropractor for back pain, as they are eligible to create unique treatment plans for every patient. This type of medicine helps patients recover quickly and better. Any treatment you’ll use at home won’t be as beneficial as the treatment you receive from a chiropractor. 

The risk factors 

Anyone can develop back pain, including children. But other factors that might put people at greater risk of developing back pain, such as:

  • Lack of exercise
  • Age
  • Diseases
  • Psychological conditions
  • Disease
  • Smoking
  • Improper lifting 

Although it might seem strange to you, smoking increases back pains. The pain might develop because smoking promotes coughing, decreases blood flow to the spine, and increases the risk of osteoporosis. 

How to prevent back pain?

Luckily, there are several things you can do to prevent back pain, including improving your physical condition and learning how to properly use your body. To keep a healthy and strong back, make sure you regularly exercise. Include aerobic exercises into your workout routines, as this can improve the endurance in your back, allowing muscles to function properly. Swimming, for example, is a great way to improve your posture and relieve back pain. Walking is not an exception, so 20 minutes of walking in the morning or evening will keep your back healthy. 

Building muscles is also important for keeping a strong back. Your abdominal and back muscles strengthen when you exercise. Once they are stronger, these muscles work like a corset for your back, maintaining it straight and robust. 

Being overweight is another health issue that leads to back pain. Maintain a healthy weight, so you won’t experience backaches, especially during adolescence. And also, quit smoking. This increases your risk of back pain, so quitting might reduce the risk of developing back pains and other injuries. 

Make sure you use your body properly: stand, sit, and lift smart. Maintain a neutral pelvic position when you stand on your feet. If you stand for too long periods, make sure you keep moving your body, so you take some of the weight off of your lower back. Sitting improperly is also a leading cause of back pain. If you work at an office, place a pillow in the area of your back, so you can maintain the natural curve. Don’t forget to change your position frequently, at least every ten minutes. 

Last, but not least, avoid lifting heavy things. If you must lift a heavy box, make sure you focus on letting your legs do the hard work. Keep your back straight, and don’t twist while you bend or lift. Bend only at your knees, and hold the object close to your body. If possible, find someone to help you lift the heavy object. 

Other useful ways to relieve back pain

Sleep better – when people experience back pains, they might not be able to sleep well at night. And this is a vicious cycle because if you do not rest well at night, aside from the back pain, you’ll end up feeling worse. Poor sleep positions can increase back pain. So, try to lay on your side by placing a pillow between your legs. This helps you keep the spine in a correct position and relieve the back pain. If you can’t sleep on one side, sleep on your back and place the pillow under your knees. But be sure to sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillow. 

Physical therapy – physical therapists can help you learn how to sit, stand, bend, or move while you are in pain. It’s very important to keep your spine in a proper position, so you can alleviate the strain in your back. A physical therapist or a chiropractor can teach you some exercises that strengthen the muscles that support your back. This will help you increase flexibility, strength, and endurance, while back pain decreases. 

It indeed takes some time until you can completely alleviate your back pain, but it’s well worth it to call a chiropractor today to discuss your back pain and find a proper treatment.