Sitting down for long hours can cause back pain. Hours commuting, sitting long hours at a desk. Or glued in front of a computer and ending up sitting in front of the TV. Your back still aching, you go to bed and wake up in the morning, not refreshed or renewed.
Back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to sudden, sharp sensations that hinder movement. It may be short-term (acute), lasting a few days or weeks, or long-term (chronic), lasting three months or more. Various conditions, such as herniated discs, sciatica, osteoarthritis, and spinal stenosis, can contribute to back pain.
Medication rarely solves mild or moderate back pain caused by poor posture. Natural remedies often prove as effective as expensive and potentially harmful medicine. You don't have to live with back pain every day. There are easy fixes that will solve your problem.
1. Pain Creams
Pain creams are topical treatments applied to the skin over painful muscles or joints to provide relief. These creams, available in different formulations, typically contain medications that numb the skin, reduce inflammation, or alter the pain sensation.
Counterirritants: These creams contain ingredients like menthol, camphor, or eucalyptus oil that create a burning or cooling sensation, distracting your brain from the pain.
Capsaicin Creams: Derived from chili peppers, capsaicin can help reduce nerve pain signals. It's often used for conditions like neuropathy, arthritis, and fibromyalgia.
NSAID Creams: Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like diclofenac, reduce inflammation and pain in the area where they're applied.
Lidocaine Creams: Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that can numb the area it's applied to, reducing pain and discomfort.
Consider creams with the naturally occurring ingredient Capsaicin. Chili peppers contain Capsaicin, which is what makes them hot to eat. This same heat is what will also bring you comfort. It will sting a bit, but this is natural and a sign that it works. Most drug stores carry this type of cream. Look for 0.025% concentration.
2. Ice Packs
Heat therapy can promote blood flow and soothe stiff joints and muscle spasms, while cold therapy can reduce inflammation and numb pain. You can alternate between heat and cold or use whichever feels most effective.
Ice and heating packs are also a great way to relieve back pain. Most people will resort to the heating pack but will forget about the ice pack. A heating pad is more comfortable than an ice pack. Yet, using heat too early could make the swelling and inflammation worse. Ice packs do a great job of reducing swelling and inflammation. If it is a new back pain (due to injury or overuse):
On day 1, use ice packs for 10 minutes every 1 hour.
Follow up with three times per day for the next two days.
After that, switch to heat to relax the muscles that might be tense.
3. Exercise Ball
A great thing that you can buy to help relieve back pain is an exercise ball. You could use it as a chair, which will help you with good posture. Convenient for intermittent exercises and stretches. One of the most beneficial stretches is using an exercise ball:
Drape yourself over the ball, facing it.
Wrap yourself around it with your knees and feet on the floor.
Shrug your shoulders, pushing them forward As you drape over the ball.
The connection between your body and mind is more vital than you realize. Relieve back pain without expensive, invasive, and harmful methods. These exercises will help you strengthen stamina and find long-term relief.
Back pain is a common ailment affecting people of all ages. Back pain can seriously affect our daily lives, whether due to poor posture, an injury, or age-related changes. While medications and surgery are sometimes required, natural, non-invasive methods can be surprisingly effective in alleviating back pain. Here's a look at some of these strategies:
4. Massage
Massage therapy involves manipulating the body's soft tissues using hands, fingers, forearms, or elbows to relieve discomfort, promote relaxation, and enhance overall wellness. It loosen tight muscles and relieve tension in the back. Consider seeking a professional masseuse, or ask a partner to massage your back gently.
Swedish: A Swedish massage involves long, gentle strokes along with kneading and circular movements. It can be particularly beneficial for those with mild to moderate back discomfort, helping to improve circulation, reduce muscle tension, and promote relaxation.
Deep Tissue: A deep tissue massage is a more aggressive technique that targets the inner layers of muscles and connective tissue, making it beneficial for chronic muscle tension or injury-related back pain.
Shiatsu: Shiatsu is a form of Japanese massage where pressure is applied to specific points on the body using the thumb, fingers, or palms. This massage can help reduce muscle tension and stimulate blood flow in the affected area, relieving back pain.
Trigger Point: This type of massage focuses on tight muscle fibers or knots that can form in the muscles and may cause pain in other body parts. Trigger point massage can help to reduce these muscle knots and relieve referred pain in the back.
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