Back Pain Management and Relief

Back Pain Management and Relief
By Jamie Snodgrass
Well now, I've done a lot of research on management and I'm as confused as you are. As if it's not enough that one has to endure back pain, one must also, all the experts agree, manage it. Odd. They never talk about managing toothache.

So, why management? Although it's never said in so many words, I suspect that is one of those rather nasty disorders that, while not socially unacceptably nasty, doesn't ever really go away. We're not talking here about your wife's pregnancy back pains or caused by a tumour; we're talking your average Joe's that just ... won't go away.

The bad news is that this sort of general is usually caused by bad posture and incorrect back health. The good news is that essentially general is a consequence of bad management and can be managed by good management. Make sense?

When treatment doesn't work, it's time to start managing the pain. Back pain management, like back pain, varies for different individuals. For some, management means learning to put up with it and maybe taking a pain killer when it becomes really unbearable. But that's not good management.

Good management starts with changing your lifestyle and your attitude towards your body, particularly your back and spine.

--Your spine supports you; without it, you'd be a a floppy toy. Your spine is supported by the muscles of your back. When they're weak and / or inflexible, your spine strains to perform even the most simple movements, including bending and carrying. So, the first step in managing is to develope a gentle exercise program to keep your muscles fit, supple and healthy.

--There are many types of exercise that are good for your back muscles, including yoga, walking and swimming. Water aerobics, for instance, is fun, inexpensive and recommended by most doctors and experts in the field of management.

--Adopt a healthy lifestyle. This includes eating correctly, exercising and substituting cigarettes and punishing exercise routines with homeopathic herbal and vitamin supplements.

--Learn about good posture, particularly if you have a job that has you always sitting at a desk or if you are on your feet all day. Always bend the knees when bending or lifting; always hollow the back when kneeling; when carrying, distribute weight evenly; when standing for long periods stand with your feet slightly apart; when pushing or pulling try to keep your back straight and take the strain on your arms.

Back pain management should be seen as a long-term