Five Ways to Better Manage Lower Back Pain

No matter why you are experiencing lower back pain, nothing changes the fact that this can have a negative impact on your daily life.
In between doctor visits, there are steps you can take at home to reduce pain and speed up the healing process.
Here are five ways to manage lower back pain at home:
1. Ice it. Although it is best to ice an injury within 48 hours to reduce inflammation, there are benefits of doing this any time pain sets in. Even though you may be tempted to use a heating pad, this can lead to more inflammation. Ice is the way to go.
2. Keep moving. As much as you want to do nothing more than lay around, if you don’t keep moving your back is only going to feel worse. This doesn’t mean you should lift heavy items or do household chores. It does not mean you should get out of bed and go about your daily life.
3. Stretch several times per day. In addition to stretching when you wake up and before you go to bed, do this throughout the day to keep your back loose. If you sit at an office chair for many hours on end, it is important to stretch from time to time. Try this every 30 to 60 minutes.
4. Change harmful routines. For example, many people find that their lower back pain is related to slouching over a keyboard for hours on end. To protect against this, use a desk chair that is ergonomically correct. This will promote better posture.
5. Watch your weight. If you are overweight for somebody your height, you could be putting unnecessary stress on your spine. Drop a few pounds and you may be surprised at how much better your back feels.
With these five tips guiding you, it is possible to manage lower back pain at home. If you are still feeling discomfort or pain, please see Dr. Sharma.