3 Reasons Why You Should Get Proactive About Solving Chronic Back Pain
Whether you know the precise cause of your back pain, or have no idea where it sprang from, it is common to feel as though there is no end in sight. We are remarkably adept at modifying our movements and lives to accommodate discomfort and to avoid those things that exacerbate the pain further, often alongside taking medication for pain relief. But this is, of course, is never an ideal solution. It is far better to take proactive steps toward solving chronic back pain – and we should all do it sooner rather than later.
Hopefully, the following three reasons why you should get proactive about solving chronic back pain will encourage you to take action and aid a return to full mobility so that you can enjoy a happier and healthier life.
1. The Changes You Make Now Will Help You in the Future
When it comes to your spine, the way you treat it now will inevitably shape the way it treats you in the future.
Poor posture, for instance, is an incredibly common cause of back pain, and implementing better practices into your life sooner rather than later will ensure that you are safeguarding yourself against further issues in the near and distant future.
There is a wealth of resources and expert support available for anyone looking to make lasting improvements – for instance, this chiropractor in Surrey specialises in postural correction for those suffering from back pain.
Whilst historically it was thought that bed rest was the best cure for back pain, the NHS confirms that staying active and doing simple back exercises and stretches are the most important things you can do to keep your back strong and healthy. The following video show some simple stretches that can really help and are particularly important if you lead a sedentary lifestyle.
These simple exercises can certainly help, but also consider gentle exercises such as walking, swimming, Pilates, yoga, and dancing
If going to the gym is your thing, ensure you know how to use the equipment properly and do not do sit-ups and crunches which can potentially cause long-term damage to the spine.
2. Back Pain Can Have a Significant Impact on Your Mental Health
When you are experiencing issues with your back, the most obvious consequences are physical: lessened mobility, pain, trouble sleeping and an inability to relax are likely to be the factors that first spring to mind for anyone currently suffering.
Unfortunately, the toll back pain takes on our lives can go beyond physical discomfort, and the emotional effects of back pain can be just as disruptive. Poor concentration, low mood, and mental fatigue can all begin to encroach upon our ability to work and live as we would like to, and they must not be underestimated by anyone suffering from recurrent bouts of back pain.
Solving chronic back pain with medication can also have a detrimental impact on your mental health. Medication does not address the cause of the pain; it only masks it. Additionally, certain prescription medications can result in other mental health issues including addiction, to the extent that GPs are now advised NOT to prescribe a range of specific medications such as opioids and even paracetamol for chronic pain.
3. Chronic Back Pain Could Be Impacting Your Overall Health in Other Ways
When we are in pain, it is all too easy for us to sink further into bad habits for the sake of comfort. Hunching over and tensing our bodies as a way of mitigating the discomfort is common, and this can have a significant impact on your health in general.
For instance, stooping over rather than sitting up straight can compress the diaphragm, making it much more difficult for the body’s digestive system to work efficiently. This can take a toll on our metabolism and exacerbate issues like constipation and IBS.
Similarly, any tension you are carrying due to pain can manifest as headaches, which will only make it more difficult for you to feel like yourself during flare-ups.
Try not to allow yourself to get into a vicious cycle with your back pain; while the fatigue and immobility that accompanies a flare-up can make it much harder for us to seek the help and change we need, it offers the only long term solution to ridding ourselves of discomfort and pain for good.