Have you developed some back pain in recent days or weeks that does not seem to be going away? While your back pain may seem chronic, it might still be possible to make adjustments to ease your pain and get back to a normal life. Chronic back pain could be the result of a number of things, but sometimes it could be as simple as adjusting the way you sit, stand, or move throughout the day. Here are some tips to keep in mind if you'd like to try and tackle this issue yourself before seeking professional help.
Work On Your Posture Throughout the Day
Good posture keeps additional weight off of your back by distributing it throughout the rest of your body. When sitting down, keep your back straight and not slumped over. Your feet, while sitting or standing, should be about shoulder-width apart.
Do you work at a job where you must stand on your feet throughout the day? Practice switching the weight distribution from the back of your heels to your toes.
Good Posture Is Important at Night
Good posture during the day is important, but you could throw all of your progress away with one bad night of sleep. Everyone sleeps differently, but if you want to ease your back pain, try to sleep flat on your back or on your side and try to maintain that position instead of tossing and turning all night. What you might not want to do is lie flat on your stomach. You may think that this will help because it takes the pressure off of your back. But what actually happens with most people when they sleep on their stomach is that they then twist their neck or upper part of their body to the side anyway because you obviously can't breathe that well with your face in the pillow. This can tweak your neck back, especially the upper part if you make adjustments during the night.
Work to Loosen Your Muscles Regularly
Back pain could also be stress-related. If your muscles always feel tight, consider a daily regimen to give yourself some relief. A regular massage from a licensed therapist can work wonders. You could alternatively try yoga or even just simple meditation to see if that will ease your stress and then your back pain.
See a Back Pain Specialist for Additional Assistance
If your self-treatment isn't working and the back pain is not going away, it might be time for professional help. Contact a local back pain expert near you today for assistance with getting back to normal.
