How To Ease Back Pain
How can you ease back pain?
- Use A Compress For Immediate Relief
- Apply An Ointment
- Stretch With Yoga Practice
- Consult A Back Pain Specialist
Use A Compress For Immediate Relief
A hot or cold compress may be a beneficial option if you want instant comfort for your back pain.
If you experience swelling, it is recommended to use cold therapy for the first few days first to reduce it. Heat therapy, in the beginning, can only worsen inflamed skin. This is why you should only use a hot compress only after the swelling has subsided.
You can buy ready to use ice and heat packs at the pharmacy. You can also use frozen peas or heat up a bag of rice for at-home remedies. However, make sure that you avoid putting these items in direct contact with the skin. Use a towel to act as a barrier in between.
Apply An Ointment
Topical pain relievers are available in many forms – patches, oils, creams, and sprays. Most of these act the same way as compresses — either providing heat or cold to soothe the pain. Popular ingredients are menthol, camphor, and capsaicin.
Another ingredient used in these ointments are salicylates. This is aspirin in a topical form which can relieve your back pain through its medical properties. If you are applying an ointment for the first time, be careful not to put it on open wounds and use it with compresses.
Stretch With Yoga Practice
Yoga improves bad posture — one of the causes of back pain. This activity can help you loosen tight and stiff muscles through different stretching techniques.
Plus, if you do not like high-impact exercises, yoga is also very gentle on the body. Depending on your capacity, you can try very light stretches first and slowly build it up to harder routines. This exercise will also improve your flexibility and prevent back pain in the long run. It also takes care of your spine.
If you are practicing yoga for the first time focus on the easier poses first. Be very gentle with your body and prioritize the right forms or postures. Avoid sudden movements and slowly ease into other positions.
Consult A Back Pain Specialist
If your symptoms persist, it is recommended to consult a professional. A chiropractor is an expert who specializes in treating not just back pain, but also pain in other parts of the body. Their education and training have prepared them to treat musculoskeletal problems.
Your chiropractor may combine several kinds of treatments through a holistic approach for better results. He will advise you on what changes you can do to your lifestyle to prevent back pain in the future. This is a great alternative to avoid pill medications which can be bad for you in the long run.