We all know about low back pain. The seizing of muscles with sudden movement, the aching of arthritic joints, the low grade tightness that won’t go away, these are just a few ways to describe back pain. The cause of low back pain (and a source of relief) can be hard found however. Sometimes, it is an acute injury and the source of the pain is immediately known or found, such as with a whiplash, or sports injury. Often times, low back pain seems to come out of nowhere, starting as a nagging pain, then abruptly building intensity, causing a low quality of life with nagging pain, nerve shooting, and sleepless nights. Many of us live with pain for years until it floors us and we seek outside help. So what does one do when this happens?
Remember you are not alone. Back pain can seemingly be hard to recover from, because we often times feel helpless. Stay focused on bringing activities into your life that reduce stress, increase strength and flexibility, and promote vitality. Eating a healthy diet, with regular exercise and stress reduction activities and you will be sure to move along towards a pain free existence.
Our favorite stress reducing activity is massage. Overexertion, and high stress will often cause muscle spasms, reduced mobility, and reduced sleep. Many times massage will decrease nervous tension, allowing you to sleep better, and wake up with a clear head. The increased blood from the massage reduces muscle spasms, increases endorphins and helps to balance and boost your mood.
Massage is only the beginning in an approach to reducing muscle pain. Read more for more back pain reducing activities.
Drink at least ½ of your body weight in water to flush toxins out. If you drink alcohol or caffeinated beverages drink and extra cup for every cup consumed.
Seek help from doctors, alternative health practitioners and pain experts. Ensure whether you are suffering from a soft tissue injury, muscle spasms, or joint degeneration with the help from a specialist or diagnostic imaging. You may need an adjustment from a chiropractor. Or you might find you have a bone spur, and need it removed. Maybe an arthritic joint has begun to bother you and a special diet and a regiment of stretching is recommended. Once you begin to eliminate possibilities, it will narrow your treatment plan and make achieving relief that much closer!
Look into occupational therapy, physical therapy, and yoga therapy. The muscles of the low back, core, hips and legs all work together to create movement. Understanding how your muscles work together is a great baseline on your road to recovery. Learn proper body mechanics, and gain strength and flexibility with daily therapeutic strength training and stretching.
Try acupuncture, biofeedback and meditation for stress reduction and fostering a mind body connection. Sometimes our body gets congested from too much stress and not enough recovery time. When we are not listening to what our body is telling us about recovery, we begin to suffer from chronic pain. Our energetic body will become stagnant and not move energy through out our systems. If this happens, not only will our muscles react negatively, but our organs will too.