Tips On How To Deal With Severe Back Pain

During his or her life, the average American is highly likely to experience back pain in one form or another at some point; this is true of 80 percent of all men and women. Fortunately, there are many options for preventing, treating, and eliminating the discomfort and aches associated with chronic back pain. Here are some tips for dealing with back pain.

Put a towel behind your back. Your back pain might be caused, or at least exacerbated, by poor posture. If you find that you are sitting for long periods of time, try rolling up a towel. Place this behind the small of your back while you are sitting. It can improve posture and alleviate back pain.

If you’re suffering from back pain, be sure to stretch regularly. Stretching can prevent back pain from occurring at all. It can also ease existing back pain. If your back pain is intense, you should meet with your doctor before adding too much strenuous activity to your daily routine. Otherwise, stretching is usually a great idea.

Make sure you’re drinking enough water every day. With seventy percent of our bodies being water, it’s important that we keep hydrated. Water can keep your body loose and fluid rather than stiff. Staying hydrated will also keep your intervertebral disks functioning as shock absorbers to take a lot of the pressure off the rest of the body.

Be careful when lifting. Always use proper posture when lifting. Lift from the knees. Lifting heavy objects improperly can really do quite a number on your back. To avoid causing potentially permanent damage, use caution. If the object is too heavy to lift, request assistance or use a moving dolly.

Avoid motions that twist your spine. The more often you twist, the higher your chance of injury. You should especially avoid twisting while lifting heavy objects. Change your position or how you do the activity if you notice straining in your muscles while twisting. Paying attention to the warning signs early can save you pain later.

You need to watch what position you sleep in as well if your back is hurting. Consult your physician and see what he or she recommends. Sleep on your side with your legs curled up slightly is often recommended. It is also often said that it is not a good idea to sleep on your back.

Make sure that your home and work environment is set up safely. You do not want to have a bunch of stuff on the floor that you could easily trip on and seriously hurt your back. Take a few minutes each day and ensure your house is picked up.

Try not to stand for long periods of time. Doing this can cause a back injury because of all the strain you put your body through. If you have a job that causes you to be on your feet all day, make sure to sit on your breaks, and when you get home, you rest for a little.

Many different kinds of medications are available for back pain, either over the counter or by prescription. You need to consult your physician before you begin taking any new medicines. Sometimes, all you need is a small dose of an over-the-counter painkiller in order to stop your back from hurting. In more severe cases, however, stronger prescription painkillers may be required.

Whether you are experiencing back pain due to an injury or from a lifelong condition, the advice from this article was selected especially for anyone who has suffered from the same condition. Find out what has worked for others in your situation, then decide on your next best move to eliminate back pain.