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Shanda McNew -
PRO PT It’s no secret that back pain can be an absolute
nightmare. Nagging or
excruciating pain can have many causes and may worsen day to day - sometimes
a little better, sometimes you can hardly move at all. This pain can
make you miserable 24/7, preventing your daily tasks and often worsening when
you try to take it easy. Despite
the pain, you may be wary of surgery or using pain medications. Four out of
five Americans experience some degree of back pain on a regular basis.
By no means are you alone but how you choose to deal with it makes a
significant difference. Here are some ways to manage back pain rather than
“just live with it.” ●
Stretching exercises can help you
increase your mobility, allowing you to do more with less pain. ●
Strengthening exercises can give weak
muscles the reinforcement they need to hold your back straighter and with
less fatigue. ●
Keep moving without overdoing it. Keep
up your daily activities, change positions often, walk the dog, go to work, etc.
While sitting or lying down may feel better initially, inactivity often
increases pain in the long run. Physical and aquatic therapy, walking
programs, and yoga are great ways to keep moving and lessen pain. ●
Electrotherapy, heat, ice, massage, or
acupuncture can help chronic inflammation and relax painful muscle spasms
when combined with physical therapy regimens. ●
Lifestyle modifications to improve
posture and ease stress on your back can also help, including how you sleep,
how you sit to relax or watch TV, the setup of your computer or workstation,
and how you bend and lift. You have many
options to reduce your back pain. Start with a physical therapy evaluation
and follow the recommendations - we’ve got your
back! |
