Yes, There’s Hope For Your Agony: The 10 Best Remedies For Back Pain That Don’t Involve Drugs

A staggering 80 percent of Americans experience lower back pain at some point in their lives and if you’re one of them, you know how debilitating it can be. Back pain makes it tough to work, drive, relax and even sleep at night. The trouble with most medicinal remedies is that they come with a long list of unfortunate side-effects, such as drowsiness, moodiness, nausea and the most challenging, possible addiction. Just because you don’t want the heavy drugs, though, doesn’t mean you don’t need relief:

  1. Rest In A Stress-Free Position For Your Back

When you are able to get off of your feet, do so in such a manner as to take the stress completely off your back. When lying down, for example, rest on your side and when seated, situate your feet on an ottoman and bend at the knees. Your mattress and favorite chair should be of higher quality and orthopedic, to support your back and protect your joints. Pillows that prop alleviate stress, too, and some are designed in peculiar shapes to aid specific parts of your body, like your neck and shoulders. If you suffer with any degenerative condition, such as Facet Syndrome, where the cartilage in your vertebrae are worn away, you may need extra support in other areas, due to favoring a certain position for back comfort. No matter what’s causing your problem, though, when you can rest, be sure and get the most of that time.

 

  1. Invest In Practical Footwear

Especially if your back is throbbing, don’t go out in shoes that will contribute to the problem. Heels, loafers, flip-flops and other non-supportive footwear don’t provide arch comfort and that can actually alter your gait. The way you walk impacts your lower back and the wrong type of shoes may even cause back issues; thus, it’s imperative that your footwear are practical and supportive.

 

  1. Learn How To Lift Properly

One of the more common causes of pain like yours is improper lifting. Most people don’t really think about how their body is affected by the bending and strain, but the brunt of that force is absorbed by lower back muscles. Lifting with knees bent, head forward and the use of your arm strength should eliminate lifting-related back problems; however, if you’re already hurt, further treatment, such as a heating pad and rest, may be in order before you resume a normal workload.

 

  1. Wear A Back Brace Whenever Needed

Back braces are specially designed devices that support bones and muscles, preventing injury and often successfully healing it. A corset brace eliminates a lot of free motion, especially leaning forwards and backwards, which gives you time to heal. A rigid brace, usually doctor-recommended, is more cumbersome; however, it may restrict movement by as much as 50 percent and that could be a real help for you. Back braces offer lumbar support, which is particularly useful if you do a lot of bending and lifting on the job. If you opt to wear one, be sure to follow the instructions of the manufacturer or call your physician’s office for advice.

 

  1. Get Help With 2-Person Lifting Jobs

Most especially if you’re currently having back problems, do not lift anything on your own, even if it seems light enough that it won’t bother you. Ask for help or leave the lifting and moving to someone else or for a later date, or you could just cause yourself permanent harm. Worldwide, back pain is the leading reason for people going on disability; thus, it’s important to nurse an injury as much as circumstances allow.

 

  1. Talk To A Chiropractor

Spinal adjustments may be in order, depending on what’s happened to cause you so much pain in your back. Chiropractors treat both disorders and injuries of the spine, so no matter what brought you to your current state, they should be able to offer some reprieve. Tell them in detail the circumstances surrounding your symptoms, including what you do that causes more pain and what provides you any relief. A chiropractor can also help you improve your posture, which will work to aid you in the long-term.

 

  1. Consider A Weekly Massage

A weekly massage may be just what you need to undo the tension accumulating in your muscles, and it won’t come with any unpleasant side-effects. Muscle tension leads to agonizing spasms and without some intervention, you’ll likely be forced onto heavy-duty medication sooner or later.

 

  1. Take Up (Physician-Approved) Yoga

If your doctor thinks your back won’t be adversely affected, a few yoga positions could ease your body into feeling a lot less pain. Downward Facing Dog and Thread The Needle Poses, for example, stretch vital muscle groups gently and done with regularity, could eliminate your discomfort all together. Tell the yoga instructor where you’re hurting and ask them to exclude you from any pose that could strain your sensitive back, at least in the beginning. If you’re not into the public yoga scene, partake of the poses in the comfort of your own home, only don’t do anything too strenuous, such as The Supine Twist, lest you aggravate your muscles even more.

 

  1. Apply A Soothing Back Patch

For quick and temporary relief, non-medicated back pain patches from Stamina Pro can be very effective. Different brands employ different methods of numbing pain and undoing all those knots in your muscles and they should be of some help to you, especially first thing in the morning.

 

  1. Replace Your Salt With Healing Spices

You may have inflammation in your back and that’s what’s causing you so much pain; nature provides many harmless means of reducing inflammation and a few of them happen to be delicious. Salt tends to aggravate inflammation as blood vessels expand (due to the excess accumulation of sodium), along with contributing to high-blood pressure and other ailments. Try anti-inflammatory spices like Turmeric, Ginger, Sage and Rosemary to sweeten and spice your foods, instead of salt.

 

You don’t have to take prescription narcotics or even over-the-counter drugs to find relief for your back pain. Be sure and check with your physician, to ensure you don’t have a serious injury or other complication, but don’t automatically rely on potentially addictive drugs for your discomfort. Treat your back with the TLC it needs and even when you’re feeling fine, don’t over do it. You should return to your normal, pain-free state and be able to get back to living your life.

 

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