3 Ways to Deal With Back Pain
By Paul Rothbart
Back pain is one of the most common problems that adults deal with. The spine is complex, with vertebrae housing the spinal cord. It is the foundation for the entire skeleton and works hard no matter what you are doing. Even sitting puts a load on the spine. It's very easy for an injury to occur that causes you pain. Many people just grin and bear it but they don't have to. There are ways to deal with back pain and even avoid it.
Practice Good Posture
Your spine is designed to be straight. Spending long periods of time with it curved in an unnatural way is going to cause injury. Slumping, slouching, and leaning forward will all curve the spine and cause you problems. A good way to find out if you are practicing good posture is to stand with your heels against a wall. If your posture is proper, your calves, butt, shoulders, and head will touch the wall. There should be a small space between your lower back and the wall that you can slip a hand into. This is the position you want to maintain any time you are standing. Your upper body should be in this position when sitting, with your thighs parallel to the seat and your feet flat on the floor.
Sleep Position
You spend many hours sleeping and your position matters. Waking up with back pain is evidence that you may need to alter the way you sleep. Just as when you are awake, your spine should be properly aligned during sleep. If you sleep on your side, try placing a pillow between your knees. This can help keep your hips positioned so that the lower part of your spine doesn't curve sideways. A pillow under your knees and another under your lower back can be helpful if you sleep on your back. Sleeping on your stomach is the worst position for the back and it is advised that you place a pillow beneath your hips if you must sleep in this position.
See a Chiropractor
When it comes to caring for the spine, seeing a chiropractor can be one of your best options. A chiropractor will perform an examination that will find any subluxations, compressed discs, or other problems anywhere in the spine. These problems are then fixed with adjustments. With your spine back in order, your pain can be relieved and perhaps prevented in the future. A chiropractor can also give you helpful tips for stretching and other ways to avoid more back pain. Regular visits can also help you stay pain-free.
Back pain is common and can make the easiest of tasks seem impossible. You don't have to suffer from it. Use these tips to manage your back pain. Consider a visit to The Joint Chiropractic. You don't need an appointment. Seeing a chiropractor may be your best weapon in the battle against back pain.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Orlando, Fla.