If your lower back pain has persisted for a long stretch of time and it’s beginning to affect your overall quality of life, there are several steps to take right away to help improve the situation. Back pain can hinder your mobility, lead to muscle problems, and even be an indicator of underlying health conditions, in some cases. If your back pain has gotten to the point where it can no longer be ignored, taking action immediately can help prevent the problem from getting worse. From enrolling in physical therapy for lower back pain to learning key stretching techniques and supplementing with over-the-counter treatments, here’s your quick guide to solving your back pain for good.
Keep Moving and Streching
Before your first visit to get physical therapy in East Fort Collins, Colorado, there are a few things you can do to ease your pain at home. In particular, moving and stretching more could help soothe your back. Although it may seem counterintuitive, movement can actually help relieve some of the pressure on your lower back. You may find it beneficial to:
- Change your posture while seated
- Get up and move around throughout the day as much as possible
- Take periodic stretch breaks once per hour during the workday
- Apply a medicated ointment for topical relief
- Apply a heating pad or a cooling pad to the spot for relief
Find a Physical Therapist
In cases of severe back pain, you may need to visit your doctor or other healthcare provider and ask about potential treatment options. Although over-the-counter supplements may be enough to provide support in some cases, in others, prescription drugs may be needed. Make sure to keep a thorough log of your back pain every day to be able to inform your doctor accurately about your condition. In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you start taking:
- Prescription muscle relaxants
- Prescription pain medication
- Acetaminophen and other over-the-counter pain relievers
- Herbal remedies, including turmeric, ginger, and licorice
In addition to home remedies and doctors’ visits, visiting a Fort Collins physical therapy location could help solve your back pain problem. A good physical therapist can provide a wide range of services, from treating the problem in the short-term to providing advice for how to prevent back pain in the future. At a physical therapist appointment, you may:
- Learn self-soothing techniques you can practice at home to reduce your back pain
- Address constant pain and find potential solutions
- Catch potential health problems early to prevent later injuries, surgeries, or other more drastic measures
- Practice better posture and potentially gain improved balance and/or mobility
Although lower back pain is relatively common, the pain can lower your quality of life and lead to a host of other health issues if left unaddressed. If your lower back pain can’t be ignored and has persisted for some time, it’s imperative that you take action to find a treatment right away. Getting up and moving around, learning some stretching techniques, going to the doctor for supplements or treatments, and finding a high-quality physical therapist are options to help you rectify the problem. Consider taking one or more of these vital steps today.
