Lower back pain is one of the main causes of lost workdays and disability worldwide. That is because the lower back, which bears the upper body’s weight, is always under stress and strain, especially while doing routine activities like twisting and lifting. Fortunately, Dr. John Huffman Arlington offers effective back pain treatments to help you return to your normal life faster.
Lower back discomfort is often brought on by sudden injury, arthritis, physical activity, or age-related wear and tear. Here are tips to help you manage your lower back discomfort and avoid more issues, no matter what the underlying reason may be;
1. Consider using over-the-counter painkillers
Over-the-counter painkillers, particularly anti-inflammatory medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, are the go-to treatments for lower back problems because they help lessen swelling. When you have lower back pain, taking these drugs continuously for several days in a row is crucial to obtain the most benefit from them. Before using these drugs, talk to your doctor since not everyone can safely use them.
2. Maintain proper posture when performing tasks
When engaging in physical activity, it is crucial to maintain good posture—especially if you participate in sports or have a profession that involves repetitive motions. This will help prevent injuries to your lower back. Try to keep your spine straight and avoid slouching as much as possible. Always bend and straighten from the knees rather than the waist while lifting. And when you rotate from side to side, move your hips carefully.
If you are not careful with your hip injury and stress, you might experience serious hip injury and end up with hip arthritis surgery.
3. Reduce your weight
Being obese or overweight puts more strain on your body. The stress on your back will probably be greater if you carry extra fat in your midsection or around your breasts.
Make an effort to shed extra weight. That often entails increasing your exercise and decreasing your calorie intake. You may create a healthy food plan and exercise program with the assistance of your doctor.
4. Engage in some low-impact exercise
Exercise could be the last thing you want to do while in pain. However, frequent exercise is crucial for maintaining excellent back health. Experts recommend low-impact exercises to ease back discomfort.
Consider low-impact excess like walking, swimming, yoga, or tai chi several times each week. By performing these low-impact exercises, you might raise your level of fitness, reduce your weight, stretch and strengthen your back.
5. Wear the right footwear
Wearing supportive shoes can enhance your posture, promote stability, and reduce your chance of developing lower back problems. Wear shoes suited for the activity you are engaged in (sneakers for exercising or running or gumboots for manufacturing work). Even while wearing flip flops or high heels sometimes is unlikely to result in lower back issues, wearing them frequently or for an extended period might place more strain on your lower spine.
6. Consider meditating
Your mind has great power—people who frequently practice meditation report that pain is “less unpleasant,” according to studies. Anyone with chronic pain, especially back pain, should find these findings encouraging.
If that is not enticing enough, meditation has been connected to further advantages for mental and physical health. According to experts, meditation helps address depression, sleep issues, high blood pressure, and others.
Call Interventional Pain and Regenerative Medicine Specialists to book an appointment for back pain treatment.