Whether it’s lower back, back or neck pain, back problems are among the most common injuries in today’s society. Because of this, it is highly recommended to know how to act if you ever suffer from pain or discomfort involving these areas of the body.
This article is intended to give some useful advice on how to deal with minor aches and pains, it is not intended as a clinical guide or protocol for action. If you suffer a fall or accident with serious consequences, or if you have a previous injury or illness, you should go to a hospital.
1) The first piece of advice would be related to the previous paragraph: go to a professional. He or she will assess the extent of the injury, the cause, carry out tests, etc. After all this process, you only have to follow the recommendations of the professional.
2) Second piece of advice: take medication? If a professional prescribes it, yes. If the discomfort or pain is not very serious, it is advisable to avoid taking medication such as painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs. Instead, a very useful and natural option is to use cold or heat to reduce the symptoms for 10-15 minutes on the painful area.
3) Third tip: perform therapeutic exercise, mobility routines and stretching. Previously prescribed by a professional, specific exercises can be carried out for the affected area to activate the structures, stretch the tissues, reduce muscle tone, etc.
4) Fourth tip: use cold and heat. They work perfectly well when used alternately. The best combination is to use 10-15 minutes of one of them, rest 2-3 hours and use 10-15 minutes of the other. The effects that can be achieved are reduction of pain and inflammation and improvement of blood circulation.
5) Fifth tip: perform a self-massage with a tennis ball. On a flat surface (the floor, for example), place a mat or towel and the ball. Then we place ourselves on the ball, right on the painful area and put our weight on the ball. We accompany the pressure with deep breaths that will help to achieve greater relaxation.
6) Sixth tip: get adequate sleep. When you suffer from back pain it is difficult to find the ideal position; however, you should avoid sleeping on your stomach as this is not healthy for the spine. The best position is on your side (foetal position) with a pillow between your knees. It is also possible to sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees.
7) Seventh tip: apply sprays or creams. There are many brands on the market that can reduce pain and inflammation. Most of them do not require a medical prescription, although it is still advisable to ask the pharmacy staff to find out which may be of most benefit to you.
With this advice, we hope to help those who suffer from back pain and discomfort; unfortunately, if you suffer from a more serious and important injury, it is necessary to see a professional for an assessment, diagnosis and treatment plan.