Back pain is a real pain in the… it’s a real pain that can affect anyone, young or old, that’s what it is. You or someone you know has likely suffered from back pain before, usually lower back pain. It’s very common here in Australia and elsewhere, but the good news is that there are some techniques to reduce back pain that just about anyone can use:

01. GET PLENTY OF QUALITY SLEEP

You’ve probably heard it a zillion times before, but it needs to be re-stated in case you aren’t already doing so. Get plenty of quality sleep. Ideally, 7-9 hours will be sufficient to keep you alert, energetic, and feeling positive throughout the day.

It gets a little more complicated, however. It’s equally important that you are sleeping on a good quality mattress and that you’re sleeping in a position that doesn’t exert too much pressure on your spine or neck. Back and side sleeping positions (foetal position) are ideal, but if in doubt then we’ve written articles on how to choose the best sleeping position and welcome you to read more about it on our blog.

02. FEED YOUR BACK THE RIGHT NUTRIENTS

Your diet can affect how your back treats you, so it’s important to choose a diet that reduces back pain and that sustains good skeletal health. Two of the best vitamins available are good old vitamin D and calcium. Vitamin D just requires ample time outdoors, and in Australia, sunlight shouldn’t ever be a significant problem. Calcium can come naturally from many foods such as dairy and green vegetables.

03. KEEP A GOOD POSTURE

Posture is a big source of back pain. Whether from improper sleeping positions or from hunching over whilst standing or sitting at your desk, it’s important to develop a good posture just like your mum probably told you as a teenager.

Adjust your desk, chair, keyboard and mouse for optimum posture and try not to slouch over. Also, consider buying new, comfortable shoes that promote good posture whilst standing. Bad shoes can lead to bad posture, thus leading to back pain.

04. TRY TO EXERCISE

Depending on the severity of your back pain, exercise might be a challenge or it might be impossible. Although you don’t want to overexert your back when exercising (even if you don’t suffer from back pain), you can work towards alleviating back pain by walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling.

Yoga is also an excellent way to work on controlled breathing and stretching exercises that promote better posture and possibly reduce inflammation in your back.

05. VISIT A BACK PAIN PRACTITIONER

If your back pain is keeping you from living a fulfilling life, it may be prudent to seek therapy for your back pain from a qualified therapist. Better Backs offers a wide range of services, including chiropractic care, spinal decompression therapy, and advanced diagnostics so that you can spring back into action with minimal back pain.

BETTER BACKS

Schedule a consultation with us at Better Backs today.