October 8, 2008

Learn the Causes of Lower Back Pain

Is this a familiar scenario for you: in the middle of your day to day activities, a spasm of pain suddenly forces you to stop and attempt to ease the discomfort in the vicinity of your lower spine. The culprit? Lower back pain. Countless individuals suffer from this condition as they go about their daily tasks. Too many of them haven’t any idea what’s triggering these painful episodes.

A low back strain is a very common cause of lower back pain. Exactly what’s going on? Basically you do too much or lift too much for too long a time. The end result is that your lower back muscles get pulled in directions they’re not used to moving in.

Most often, this is not a serious injury. However, you’ll have to restrict your movements considerably for a while. Be prepared to break out the ice pack and spend some quality time with your sofa.

Lumbar sprains, like muscle strains, are another common reason for suffering lower back pain. But lumbar sprains can cause considerably more pain because they are caused by tearing of the ligaments. Think of ligaments as the cables that keep a suspension bridge in place. If a cable snaps, the integrity of the bridge is weakened.

For women, painful cramps during their menstrual cycle and premenstrual syndrome can be a cause of lower back pain. There is also additional pressure on your spinal region during the final weeks of pregnancy. This leads to pinched nerves and quite a bit of discomfort. Another women’s health concern associated with lower back pain is endometriosis.

When you don’t stretch your muscles enough it can also lead to upper back pain. Something as simple as a few arm and back stretches in the morning could do wonders for your overall spinal health. Exercising your back muscles can aid in relieving the pain, especially for anyone whose job requires repetitive motions.

There can be any number of reasons for lower back pain, ranging from sciatic nerves to muscle strain. You can get an accurate diagnosis from your physician, who will examine your back and maybe recommend some tests.

You can’t be too cautious when it comes to back pain treatment, and it can cause even worse issues if you ignore it. You can do a lot of damage just by waiting even a few weeks. Like they say, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

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Get Rid Of Backache With Lower Back Pain Exercises

When you have lower back pain you can feel as stiff as a board and as slow as a snail.  The simple actions of bending over, turning, sitting and walking around can feel so uncomfortable and as a consequence, it’s tempting to reduce the level of activity. Unfortunately that’s the worst thing you can do.  The less you do the more it’s going to hurt.  Consider this.  When you aren’t doing anything to improve the pain, how on earth can you expect an improvement? In other words, if you don’t do lower back pain exercises, how are the muscles going to get stronger?

Lower back pain is the result of both emotional and physical factors.  They are intertwined and can’t be separated.  Exercises for lower back pain don’t just deal with muscles.  The exercises also confront your psychological conditioning brought about by hearing that back pain can be entirely cured with bed rest.  Exercise can help you adjust your mental approach, get feeling of well being and put some strength back into your back.

Of course, certain types of lower back pain will require surgical correction if it is a consequence of degeneration.  But even in that situation, exercise serves a similar end.  It can lessen the degree of pain you are suffering while waiting for surgery by strengthening the muscles.  Getting your lower back muscles into good shape will also aid a much faster recovery from the surgery.  Exercise is just plain good for you regardless of whether you have back pain or not.

Exercises for lower back pain consist of a selection of exercises that may combine some aerobic conditioning.  The lower back muscles and bones are simply a smaller, though very important part of your whole musculature.  It is true to say, that however you help your low back muscles will be beneficial to your whole body, and this works the opposite way as well.  The better shape your body overall, This inevitably benefits the lower part of your back.  If you are out of shape or overweight, both conditions can make low back ache much worse.

Following is a list of some lower back pain exercises.  These you can practise at home, but if you’re under the care of a doctor it’s advisable to show him your exercise regimen.  The important thing is to do them regularly.  You can’t do them for a few days and then quit and expect to see results.  It may be uncomfortable to begin with, but if you stick with the program you’ll be amazed at how the pain begins to let go. 

• Abdominal contractions
• Wall slides or squats
• Straight leg raises
• Alternating knee to chest
• Treadmill
• Stationary bike
• Balance ball arm and leg raises (lie on stomach)

Of Course, there are many more you can practise as well.  You should start with 3 ten minute sessions a day and add time as your muscles get stronger. Following simple exercises like these will strengthen your back.

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I Found Back Pain Relief and So Can You

This is a true story. My name really is Linda Bills. I suffered from back pain for years. I tried everything. The doctors said it was degenerative. All they wanted to do was to give me more and more pills. I felt like a Zombie. It was affecting my ability to earn a living and even on all the medication, I still couldn’t do all the things I used to love to do - like playing golf. I couldn’t get through a day without all the pills.

Then one night, in the middle of the night, I lay on the floor all by myself for hours and hours and hours. I was only two feet from a phone, but I couldn’t reach it to call for help. That’s when I decided I needed to take matters in my own hands. I had to do something about my back pain.

Today I just finished 18 holes of golf. I feel young again and I am drug free. There is hope. And what I’m going to share with you are the many tips, tricks, and techniques that have helped me get my life back - and without drugs.

Don’t let people deceive you into thinking that there is a “magic” cure. The truth is, it’s only by doing a combination of things that you are going to be FREE once and for all from that nagging back ache.

Bearing in mind that the back is involved in just about any movement a person can make, it’s no wonder that many with injuries or stresses are looking for back pain relief of any sort, even if it’s some minor relief at the end of the day.  Being in constant and chronic pain can lead a person to depression and anxiety; while your case may not be at that point quite yet, it’s still no wonder that so many are searching for some measure of back pain relief.

 

First of all, think about your environment and where you spend most of your time.  If that’s at a desk in front of a computer, then back pain relief might begin with a better chair or setup.  Most office chairs put a tremendous amount of pressure on the hips and back since they usually push a person forward so he or she can see the computer.  This keeps those back muscles working overtime in a way they’re not supposed to work.  Getting back pain relief might mean putting a footstool under your desk so that you can lean back and elevate your feet.  Pull your computer and keyboard forward so that you can still see it and don’t need to hunch over it for eight or nine hours every day.

 

But even every life can cause back pain.  Many people ignore the advice of lifting with their legs rather than their backs and often haul their groceries, sporting goods equipment, children, and other heavy burdens every single day.  No wonder they’re looking for back pain relief by the time the day is over!  Just taking proper care of your back during your everyday activities can go a long way toward you being pain-free.  Remember that while your back is very strong it’s still a bundle of muscles that need to be taken care of just like any other part of the body.  You wouldn’t expect to be able to carry a fifty pound sack in your arms without feeling pain after too long, so don’t expect the same from your back.

 

There are many easy remedies for back pain relief including applying a heating pad to loosen up those muscles and encourage better blood flow.  Try putting a pillow under your knees when you lay down for support of the lower back and leg muscles.  A good massage can also go a long way toward back pain relief, so don’t hesitate to find a spa in your area.  If you can’t afford a massage you can try a school where you can get a massage from a senior student at a much more affordable rate.  Avoid sleeping on the floor, which is a common mistake that many people make.  This gives no support to your lower back or the back of your legs and usually just makes things worse.

 

Linda Bills who suffered with back pain for years has written a guide for back pain treatment called The 6 Biggest Mistakes That Back Pain Sufferers Make.  For a limited period you can get a FREE copy by visiting her Back Pain Website.

 

 

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