Trauma, such as a slip and fall or a vehicle accident, may result in back discomfort. Likewise, daily actions like bending over to a vacuum or carrying shopping bags might cause back pain. Still, most of the time, it is caused by improperly performed tasks we do regularly. The good news is that dealing with back pain Houston does not have to be tough, and it usually only requires a few little modifications that become effortless with time.
You can manage back discomfort with these six simple but effective strategies.
Maintain a proper posture
Maintaining appropriate posture during physical activity is critical to preventing back injuries, mainly if you participate in sports or have a profession that requires repeated movements. To avoid slouching, try to maintain your spine straight. When lifting, use your knees instead of your waist to bend and straighten. When rotating from side to side, be careful to move your hips.
Move around
Even if you don’t feel like moving while you are in pain, you should do what you can. Even though it is excruciatingly painful, most cases of back pain are not life-threatening. As a result, it is critical not to be terrified of movement and to keep moving despite discomfort. You may go for a walk on your own. Some physical therapists can help you identify harmful pain levels and the ideal exercises.
Watch over your diet
Trans fats, processed foods and refined carbohydrates are high on pro-inflammatory effects. Consult your doctor to discover whether your food is causing your back pain and how you might modify it. You might reduce the strain on your spine if you maintain a healthy weight.
Seeking medical attention
Back discomfort may not always need a trip to the doctor. For example, an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain medication, physical therapy exercises, and brief lifting limitations may frequently provide enough relief for patients with acute low back pain. A physician should be consulted if the patient’s ability to walk, sit, or stand for an extended time is impaired or if the pain level is more than a six (on a scale from 0 to 10). To be eligible for spinal surgery, a patient must be in excruciating pain, be incontinent, or have structural instability.
Avoid smoking
Even though it is common knowledge that smoking increases your risk of heart disease and some cancers (such as lung and colon cancer), many individuals are unaware that smoking may also result in chronic back discomfort. According to studies, smoking has also been shown to exacerbate pre existing back discomfort. One theory is that smoking narrows blood vessels, affecting back health. Consequently, the spine is more vulnerable to damage and takes longer to repair because of a reduced supply of oxygen and nutrients.
You should seek medical attention if you have back discomfort that does not go away. You should see your family doctor if your back discomfort persists for a week. If the pain persists or worsens, you should immediately see your doctor. If you have a family history of cancer or have just had surgery that increased your risk of infection, your doctor may be troubled.