Back pain can be crippling, both literally and figuratively. If you don’t do anything to manage your back pain, you’ll find that you may experience some loss in movement and pain, and in more severe cases you may have to miss work or social engagements due to being unable to get around. You may experience back pain from any number of things, whether it’s sports, work, or just from sleeping badly one night. As someone who has suffered for a long time from back pain and from the debilitating consequences of not being able to get around as much as possible, I wanted to help other potential sufferers who might be dealing with back pain too. I have found that the best way to manage back pain is with a holistic approach that is largely natural. While pain relief is often unavoidable in the form of paracetamol and other analgesic drugs, natural relief is often longer lasting and more helpful.
Choose the right mattress
The right mattress is a critical part of ensuring that you have a healthy back both now and in the future. If you make sure that your back is healthy, you’ll be investing in one of the most important physical assets that you have. Part of choosing the right mattress is to figure out whether you’re primarily a back, side or stomach sleeper, and then buying the right mattress that suits your sleeping profile. If you’re in the market for a new mattress, then keep an eye out for a mattress sale or check online (some retailers always have sale-low prices) and swoop in to buy a new bed. It doesn’t do anyone any favours to keep sleeping on an old or tired out mattress, especially if you’re suffering from back pain! I know I was someone who didn’t understand the impact of the mattress I used on my back, but once I had upgraded my old mattress for a new one? Boy oh boy, was I pleased and annoyed in equal parts. Pleased because I now, finally, had some respite from the chronic back pain I was experiencing, and annoyed because I hadn’t made the switch earlier! Not to say that every single person’s back pain can be cured by a new mattress, but do give it some thought.
Look after your spine
In addition to making sure that your spine is cared for while you sleep, you need to make sure that this spinal care translates to your whole day. Your office chair, your car, your desk at home – these spaces all need to be ergonomically primed to cradle your precious spine! Talk to your HR representative at work if you’re curious about how best to look after your spine.
Get a regular massage
Massages aren’t just indulgences reserved for birthdays and special occasions, they are also therapeutic things that can be covered by private health insurance! Many private health providers will give you a certain amount to spend on ‘extras’ so make sure you know what you’re able to access. I know a regular massage (around one a month) has certainly helped me a lot with my back pain. A bonus of this treatment is that it feels relaxing and rejuvenating.
Get orthotic shoe inserts
Your spinal health begins at the moment your body joins with the surface of the earth, and if you don’t have a good footing, you’ll have some problems with your spine, too. Take care of things with orthotics for your spine, and speak to your doctor about this to get a good referral.
Stretches for a healthy back
The final thing you can do to fight back pain is to ensure that your body is stretched and limber. Part of back pain is caused from your body seizing up, so make sure that you always stretch in the mornings and in the evenings.
Good luck with your back and I hope this article has helped you!