If you've ever woken up with a sore back or felt stiff and achy after sitting in a chair for too long, you know how unpleasant back pain can be. At its most severe, back pain can make it hard to enjoy your life and do the activities you love. Treating your back pain can help you get your life back on track. Here are four things you should do if your back has been hurting:
1. Get more low impact exercise
While moving around might be the last thing you want to do when your back hurts, the right kinds of exercise can help to reduce your back pain. According to Better Homes & Gardens, going for a walk can alleviate pain in your lower back. Swimming is another exercise that can help you stretch and strengthen your back for pain relief, and many people find that yoga helps them lead a more pain-free lifestyle. Remember to pay attention to your body's cues whenever doing any exercise. Stop immediately if any activity causes you increased pain.
2. Make an appointment with a chiropractor
Chiropractors specialize in spinal health and back care. Once you've seen your doctor and ruled out serious injuries, you should make an appointment with a chiropractor as soon as possible. A chiropractor will use their hands to manipulate your spine in strategic ways. By massaging tension out of your muscles and bringing the bones of your spinal column back into alignment, your chiropractor can help your back pain melt away.
3. Keep up with your chiropractic care
You should feel better after you leave your chiropractor's office. However, in order to achieve lasting results, you will want to schedule recurring appointments. Regular chiropractic care is an excellent precaution that can prevent back pain before it starts. Your treatment can be even more effective if you receive it while your back pain symptoms are still mild, before they've had the chance to become more intense.
4. Stay in touch with your doctor
If there's an underlying cause for your back pain, such as arthritis, you should stay in touch with your primary care physician. Back pain is often best managed using multiple techniques. Steroids and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs can help reduce inflammation in your body, which can lead to less back pain overall. In conjunction with chiropractic treatment, the right medication can greatly increase your quality of life.