Lower back pain is a common issue among adults and can make it difficult to go about your day. Whether your back pain is due to an old injury or medical condition, you do not have to live in pain forever. Making some lifestyle changes can give you the relief you need. Here are five effective ways to reduce pain in your lower back:
Work on Your Posture
Your posture can have a big effect on back pain. If you sit hunched over all the time, you can put pressure on your spine and increase back pain. Remember to always sit up straight with your shoulders pulled back. It is also helpful to place a small pillow behind your lower back.
Exercise Your Core
The stronger your core muscles are, the better off your back will be. If you work out your core on a regular basis, you should expect less back pain. Good examples of core exercises include planks, bridges and crunches.
Lose Weight
If you are currently overweight, losing even a few pounds can make a big difference in how your back feels. Excess weight can stress out your spine, making back pain feel worse. To lose weight, cut back on junk food and start eating healthier foods, such as chicken, fish, whole grain bread, nuts, fruits and vegetables. Also, aim to exercise most days of the week.
Put Down the Cigarette
Smoking is a hard habit to break, but it can improve your back pain. The chemicals in cigarettes can reduce blood flow and oxygen to your spine, increasing back pain. If you make the effort to quit this harmful habit, your back will feel better and your overall health will be improved.
Try Heat Therapy
The next time you feel pain in your back, give heat therapy a chance. Applying a heating pad to your lower back will improve blood flow, which will help nutrients reach the area. If you do not have a heating pad in your home, you can always take a hot bath or shower until the pain subsides.
Lower back pain does not have to make you miserable for the rest of your life. If you follow these helpful tips, you can decrease your back pain and feel a lot better. However, if you still experience frequent lower back pain, you should make an appointment with a chiropractor like one from Rockwood Chiropractic as soon as possible.
Share12 April 2016
As a child, I used to spend my days roaming through the woods. I climbed trees, smelled the flowers, and laid in the grass looking at the clouds. My love for nature continued through my teen years, but when I turned 23, I began to sneeze whenever I left my home. I could no longer enjoy my outdoor hikes and I started taking antihistamines so I could at least open my windows on warm days. My allergies got worse though and I met with an allergist who completed a variety of skin tests. I started receiving allergy shots and my allergist taught me about natural cleaning processes and sinus rinses. The injections and natural treatments improved my quality of life greatly. Even if you do not want to start allergy injections, you have a variety of options that can lessen your symptoms, and you should learn what these options are.
