| Nearly everyone has some form of back pain at | | | | back straight, and using your legs to lift an object from |
| some point in their lives. The issues get worse as we | | | | the floor. Other "tricks' include: using your "off hand" to |
| age. Recent articles in the news and medical journals | | | | brace yourself while you lift with your "strong hand"; |
| have stated that, most back pain does not require | | | | leaning on your knee or other object when bending |
| surgery. Also, surgery is no guarantee of long-term | | | | over so as not to have your back do all the work; and |
| benefits and only nominally, short-term benefits. For | | | | getting help if needed, don't try to do it all yourself. 4. |
| most people with back pain, therefore, the best you | | | | Back Treatments. There are a number of treatments |
| can hope for is to manage your pain and discomfort. I | | | | you can do to help ease the pain in your back. You |
| recommend visiting your Doctor first to ensure there | | | | can have a chiropractor manipulate the muscles and |
| aren't more serious reasons for your pain.The | | | | bones in your back. You can apply heat, or in some |
| suggestions below for caring for a sore back are | | | | cases, cold. You can get a massage. There are a |
| geared towards people with mild to moderate back | | | | number of massage devices on the market, some of |
| pain. Chronic pain may require more extensive | | | | which are pretty good. Not all work the same for |
| treatment. The 5 steps to care for a sore back are: 1. | | | | everyone so it's best to experiment. Make sure you |
| Lose Weight Carrying around too much extra weight, | | | | can try before you buy one of these products or at |
| especially around the mid-section, puts additional strain | | | | least make sure you understand the store's return |
| on the lower back. Eating properly, and exercising | | | | policy. 5. Having a comfortable bed Poor mattresses |
| (discussed below) are two great ways, which, taken | | | | are one of the biggest factors in the cause of back |
| together, can reduce lower back pain. 2. Exercise. | | | | pain. If you sleep on an uncomfortable mattress, you're |
| Exercise is a universal "elixir" which is named in | | | | sleeping in a poor position for long periods at a time. To |
| reducing the probability of a number of possible | | | | help alleviate those problems, mattresses should be |
| ailments such as heart disease. Cardiovascular work | | | | flipped or turned every few months. If your mattress is |
| can help by reducing and maintaining weight. Weight | | | | older than 12-15 years old, you should consider |
| lifting should also be a part of any exercise routine. | | | | replacing it. Some alternatives to traditional box spring |
| Specific areas to focus on in order to help reduce | | | | beds are: foam padded; mechanical adjustable; and air |
| back pain are: stomach, which helps take some of the | | | | beds and mattress. Air beds and mattresses are good |
| strain off of overworked back muscles; legs, which | | | | because their firmness is adjustable and they conform |
| can help by allowing you to keep and maintain proper | | | | more properly to your shape; helping maintain proper |
| alignment when squatting or bending to lift objects; | | | | spinal alignment while you sleep. Most of the |
| back, the muscles in the back can be strengthened as | | | | non-traditional beds can be pretty pricey. Even most of |
| well. It's best to consult with your Doctor and, perhaps, | | | | the "air" beds are pretty pricey going up to thousands |
| a licensed physical therapist or trainer before beginning | | | | of dollars. One less expensive alternative is an air |
| any workout out routine in order to ensure you do | | | | mattress. Air mattresses have matured over the |
| things properly. There are a number of back stretching | | | | years. You can even get a full-sized bed that's the |
| exercises you can do to ease the stress and pain in | | | | same height as a traditional bed, frame and box |
| your back. Your Doctor, physical therapist, or | | | | springs. The most expensive of these, made by Aero, |
| chiropractor will have more information. 3. Not | | | | cost under $400.00. Some even come with dual |
| overusing your back. Learn not to use only your back | | | | controls where each side of the bed can adjust the |
| when lifting objects. It's best to squat, keeping your | | | | firmness independently. |