Studies show that at least eight in ten Americans experience back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain can interfere with your work and personal life, whether you got it from an injury, cleaning the house, or working long hours. According to medical practitioner Robert Buckannon of Las Vegas, severe or sudden back pain must be addressed by a doctor, especially if the pain won’t go away.
Since many things cause back pain, there are various ways to treat it. Robert notes that you don’t have to take medication to relieve back pains as many natural pain-relieving strategies can work best for you. He shares some of them in this post.
Try Taking More Anti-Inflammatory Drinks and Foods
If you have chronic back pain, learn to consume anti-inflammatory and antioxidant foods regularly. When they build up in your bloodstream, their powerful agents help reduce anti-inflammatory reactions in your body, including back pain.
These foods include green tea, turmeric milk, tart cherry juice, yogurt, black pepper, ginger, and other green leafy vegetables. Robert Buckhannon of Las Vegas also recommends shedding weight to lighten the load around your lower back. This helps reduce the amount of mechanical force on the spine.
Quit Smoking
If you want to reduce back pain, Robert Buckhannon of Las Vegas recommends making several lifestyle changes. One of the main ones is putting out cigarettes. While it’s generally an unhealthy habit, smoking has been shown to increase spinal problems. That means you’re more likely to experience back pain if you smoke. The nicotine in cigarettes can weaken your spinal bone and take away vital nutrients from the spongy disks that cushion your joints, making your muscles stiff and sore.
Get Moving
Staying active is one of the best ways to prevent and reduce back pain. It can be challenging to walk or bend when back pain strikes. However, staying immobile can worsen the condition. Take short walks, yoga, cycling, swimming, aerobics, and any other manageable exercise. Exercising helps loosen tense muscles and induce endorphins, the brain’s natural pain relievers.
Consider Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy provides lots of benefits for your body, mainly back pain relief. Robert Buckhannon, who is a Las Vegas Physical Therapist, notes that Physical Therapy involves using hands and small tools to align your spinal cord and provide treatment to the surrounding nerves and soft tissues.
He notes that the most common cause of chronic lower back pain is a misaligned spine. That means if your spine is properly aligned, you will not suffer back pain. Physical Therapists use various means to relieve back pain, such as therapeutic massages, exercising and stretching. Your Physical Therapist may also recommend taking certain foods based on the cause of the pain.
Maintain a Good Posture
Avoid sitting for too long, and when you do, apply the same good posture techniques you use when standing. Always support your back when seated. Choose a high-quality chair that offers firm support for your lower back and make sure your knees are higher than your hips when you sit.
This helps ease pressure on your lower back. Keep your head centered over your pelvis and don’t slouch your shoulders. If you work at a desk, take multiple breaks from the chair and stretch. Also walk regularly.
