Back pain is such a prevalent condition that many people wonder if it’s an inevitable part of growing older. Globally, millions of people are affected by lower back pain; it’s a leading cause of disability worldwide.
According to health experts, chronic back pain becomes more common with age, starting at age 30 to 40. For those experiencing a constant ache in the lower back or sudden pain flare-ups that make it hard to move around, it’s likely time to address the problem and hopefully prevent it from getting worse.
Some back or spine health conditions can be improved with surgery or medication to reduce or completely eliminate chronic pain. However, there are other ways to relieve back pain naturally and improve your mobility.
Here are some chronic pain management solutions that can actually work:
Talk To a Pain Management Specialist
There are non-invasive options to target pain at its source and have a better quality of life. You can go to a pain management center like Dr. Claflin of Oklahoma Interventional Spine & Pain for treatments such as radiofrequency ablation or a medial block injection and experience pain relief.
Think About Nutrition
Excess body weight may put pressure on the spine and can increase the risks of developing back pain and spine conditions. In fact, a recent study found that excess weight and obesity are linked to degenerative disc conditions and lower back pain.
Excess weight around the middle is often associated with back pain since the extra weight causes people to tip their pelvis and lower back forward. The change in posture can alter the natural curve of their spine. Those postural misalignments may lead to pinched nerves and spine compression.
A balanced diet and doing moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day can potentially help mitigate the odds of back pain. Consider working with an expert like a registered dietician. They can help people set dietary goals, provide guidance on proper nutrition, and make positive changes to eating habits. Talking to a healthcare provider before making any changes is generally a good course of action.
Try a Therapeutic Workout
Regular workouts may improve overall fitness and mobility; it may even reduce the frequency of pain flare-ups.
However, those with lower back pain may find that high-impact activities, such as basketball and jumping, may do more harm than good. The same can be said for exercises that strain the spine, like crunches or sit-ups. To meet exercise goals without aggravating back problems, consider doing a therapeutic workout after checking in with your doctor.
Therapeutic exercises are designed by specialists to reduce pain, increase strength and flexibility, and improve range of motion in people with chronic pain conditions. If you’re already seeing a pain management specialist, they might recommend this as part of your treatment plan for pain relief.
The frequency of therapeutic exercise sessions could depend on your condition and the advice of your pain doctor. With the guidance of a physical therapist or pain management specialist, you could be doing stretching exercises, low-impact aerobic exercises, and posture training, among others, to relieve chronic back pain.
Consider Massage Therapy
A good massage can relieve stress, increase relaxation, and encourage the body’s ability to produce feel-good hormones to improve and stabilize mood. Anyone can get a massage at a spa, but for those experiencing chronic back pain, it may be beneficial to see a licensed massage therapist. Licensed massage therapists are generally well-versed in the muscles that cause pain.
Massage therapy can provide relief for many back problems, and it also may improve blood circulation, which could lead to better mobility and reduced pain. This type of holistic treatment is often recommended to those who get back pains due to prolonged sitting and individuals who get dull, aching pain in the lower back, the base of the spine, and the hip area.
Live Your Life Pain-Free
Don’t let chronic back pain stop you from living your best life. Consider these chronic pain management solutions to eliminate pain, and ask your doctor to recommend the best one for your health condition.
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