3 Things You Can Do Today to Manage Your Back Pain

3 Things You Can Do Today to Manage Your Back Pain

Back pain can come on for a number of different reasons, including an injury or a degenerative condition. Whatever the cause, back pain can make even the smallest movements excruciatingly painful, so finding relief is your top priority. 

Our team at Integrated Body and Medicine, helps you when your back pain seems like it’s ruling your life. We specialize in a number of different treatments for your back, and we can show you what you can do at home to ease your symptoms.

What causes back pain?

You’ll most likely experience back pain at some point in your life, if you haven’t already. Whether it comes on suddenly and dissipates or it lingers for a long time, the pain puts a damper on your life.

But what exactly causes pain in your back? There are a lot of conditions that lead to pain, some of which include:

Injuries from car accidents or falls may also lead to pain in your back, often due to muscle strains and inflammation. These injuries may seem like they take forever to heal.

You don’t always need medical treatment for back pain. With proper home care, your pain may go away on its own within a few days. 

How you can manage your pain at home

When back pain hits, your first instinct may be to panic and to lie on the couch. Neither one is a good option, but there are steps you can take at home to reduce the pain in your back immediately.

Rest is good initially, but too much rest may actually hurt you more than it helps. Here’s what you should do instead:

Start moving

Although your brain may be telling you to take it easy, don’t stay on the couch too long. Back pain can actually get worse if you sit around too much. You should move, even if it’s just taking a walk. 

Once the pain begins to subside, a little low-impact exercise can loosen your muscles and relax your body. This helps in the long-term management of your pain.

Watch your posture

Posture is a huge factor when it comes to back pain. Slouching for hours at a time can wreak havoc on your musculoskeletal system and lead to chronic pain. Practice good posture whether you’re sitting, standing, or lying down.

Changing your posture for the better can significantly reduce pain and discomfort in your back and helps you fight off back problems down the road.

Change your diet

Your diet has a huge impact on pain in general, especially in your back. Processed foods and sugar cause widespread inflammation in your body. Your back is one of the areas that’s often affected by this inflammation.

And if you’re suffering from a condition that leads to chronic back pain, this inflammation only makes it worse. Changing your diet to include whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and lean protein helps you not only maintain a healthy weight, but decrease inflammation in your body.

When to see a doctor

Most of the time, back pain is manageable without treatment. But if your pain doesn’t subside,  you need to seek medical help. Contact us if you experience:

These symptoms can be signs of a more serious problem in your back.

If your back pain just doesn’t seem to quit, call our office or schedule an appointment through our online system today. We serve the greater Highland,  Indiana.

You Might Also Enjoy...

4 Ways a DOT Exam Is Different From a Routine Physical

Routine physical exams help you stay on top of your health, but if you drive a commercial vehicle, you need a particular exam called a DOT physical. Keep reading to discover how a DOT exam differs from your annual physical.

3 Strange Causes of Sciatica That Can Trigger Back Pain

If you have back pain with symptoms in your legs, you may be dealing with sciatica. But did you know it’s not always due to spinal issues? Keep reading to discover strange causes of sciatica and how you can ease your back pain.

Why Your Body Thrives with Alkaline Water

When you're drinking to stay hydrated, water is water, right? Not necessarily. Alkaline water may be a better choice, especially when you suffer from joint pain. Keep reading to discover why alkaline water benefits your body and your health.

Try These Good Work Habits to Prevent Physical Pain

When you're at work, the last thing you want to feel is pain. But bad habits often cause physical pain symptoms and prevent you from getting your job done. Keep reading to learn what practices are vital in avoiding pain at work.

Here Are the 3 Steps In Your DOT Exam

If you have a commercial driver’s license, you need to undergo a Department of Transportation (DOT) exam in order to operate the vehicle. There are three steps in the exam, each just as important as the other. Here’s what to expect.