Chronic Back Pain: Relief and Prevention
As persistent as chronic back pain is, you can soften its effects while continuing normal activities.
Sometimes, you can stave off the pain by making smart lifestyle changes. Chronic pain affects more than one in five people and is most common in middle-aged and older adults. Don’t let it get the best of you. These steps are especially important as you age.
Tune out tension. One way to fight back against pain is by listening to quiet, calm, relaxing music.
Make your move. Regular exercise can help speed recovery for many patients with chronic
pain; it helps reduce stress and increases flexibility and strength in the muscles that support
your back.
Walk away the pain. Walking is an excellent exercise for pain sufferers, because it’s easy on
the back and joints. Exercise in warm water is particularly good for relieving arthritis pain in
the hip joints, since the water is relaxing and its buoyancy makes moving easier.
Rise and shine. There’s a right way and a wrong way to get out of bed. If you’re prone to back
trouble, don’t just pop right up. Instead, roll onto your side, bend both knees and drop your feet over the side of the bed as you push up with both arms to a sitting position. Scoot to the bed’s edge and stand. That way, you’re far less likely to strain your back.
Oh, My Aching Back!
If the source of your pain hasn’t been diagnosed or if you’d like to discuss treatment options, call the Northside Hospital Spine Center at (404) 459-1809.
