4 remedies that help soothe back pain
Back pain is common, but it can be extremely discomforting if ignored. It can be caused by several reasons such as a sudden jerk, accident, muscle spasm or sprain, bad posture, to name a few. It is best to consult a doctor if the pain continues even after a couple of days. However, there are several remedies to try at home that may help soothe inflammation and alleviate back pain symptoms.
Strengthen the core
The muscles in our abdominal core help support the back. Stretching and flexing the abdominal core may help relax the muscles in the back and prevent back pain. It is often recommended to stretch and strengthen the back first thing in the morning. Yoga is a great and effective way to stretch your back and relax the back muscles. It not only helps alleviate the symptoms of back pain but also improves the joints, enhances blood circulation, and boosts the flexibility of the spine. Another exercise to reduce back pain is Pilates. It is always better to consult a trainer before trying advanced Pilates and yoga postures.
Maintain a good posture
This is extremely important in order to keep back pain at bay. Many people work in front of their laptops, and the continuous use of smartphones can cause bad posture and back pain. This can be easily avoided if one is cautious. If you are working on the computer or laptop, it is best to rest the arms evenly on the desk. Taking regular intervals in between work is also a crucial factor that eventually helps in avoiding back pain. Resort to some chair exercises and stretch regularly to maintain a good posture and alleviate back pain symptoms.
Use ice and heat packs
Both ice and heat packs can work for reducing back pain. If you are unsure which one works better, try out both and choose the one that helps you the most. However, ice packs may work better if there is swelling and inflammation on the back, whereas a heating pack may show better results if someone is trying to relax a pulled or stiff muscle. In both cases, one may try out each of these remedies and see what works the best for them.
Don’t forget regular exercises
People often don’t move around when there is back pain. However, keeping up with regular exercise can help in reducing the pain. One need not go overboard with the weights or running, but a 20- to 30-minute brisk walk can be great. Not exercising or moving at all can weaken the muscles around the spine, which, in turn, would cause poor spine support and add to the back pain.
Treatment options
One can resort to treatment options that include over-the-counter (OTC) medications, muscle relaxants, and pain relievers, along with these remedies in order to relieve back pain. However, it is necessary to consult the doctor before one takes any medication to avoid side effects. Some of the muscle relaxants include antispasmodics and antispastics that may help lessen back pain. Other OTC medications are ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen sodium, to name a few.