Lower back pain has become so common these days that there are over 31 million Americans suffering from this problem. It is one of the primary reasons for missed workdays in the country and the second most common reason to visit the doctor’s office.
Many people struggling with chronic back pain say their discomfort worsens when they are driving for long hours or doing sedentary work.
And there’s a good reason for this.
The human body is not designed to be sitting in one position for a lengthy period of time, and no matter how well car manufacturers and chair designers modify the shape of their seat, they can only take an average body frame into account, and people tend to come in all shapes and sizes.
If you have noticed that your back pain is getting worse because of all the time you spend driving your car or working at your desk, here are 7 things you can do to ease the situation and give your back a considerable amount of relief:
# 1: Sit More Comfortably
Take some of the pressure off your discs and vertebrae by using a lumbar support cushion for your back when you’re working at a desk or driving. Remove wallets, keys and anything else that’s big and bulgy from your back pocket before you settle down because they can throw your spine positioning out of alignment.
# 2: Position Your Body Right
Try not to reach out for the steering wheel when you’re driving. Sit as close to it as safely possible to reduce pressure build-up in your back, neck, shoulders and wrists. Consciously sit with your knees positioned higher than the hips while driving.
# 3: Change Up Your Shoes
Don’t wear the same pair of shoes every day of the week. While it’s common knowledge that long, pencil heels can be doing your chronic back pain no favors, sandals, flip-flops and other sorts of flat shoes are not good for prolonged wear either as they offer little to no arch support. Wearing different shoes is the most practical way to avoid a back-breaking shoe impact pattern.
# 4: Think How You Sleep
Sleeping on your back or on your sides is a good posture because it stretches and elongates the spine. If you’re in the habit of sleeping on your tummy, slide a thin pillow under your hips to ease the pressure on your discs, ligaments and muscles.
Also, think of buying a bed mattress of medium firmness if you’re not sleeping on one. Research has shown that people with lower back pain had fewer complaints about aches and pains after sleeping on a medium-strength mattress for 3 months.
# 5: Beware Of Depression
Studies have shown a connection between chronic back pain and depression. If you’ve been feeling moody, sad or lethargic lately, be aware of your spiritual melancholy and work to get yourself off this slippery slope before the symptoms get worse. Don’t lie around in bed or in front of the TV to blank out the blah. Force yourself to go out, take a brisk walk and breathe deeply in the fresh air. Yoga, meditation and other mind-body disciplines can be a huge help too. The more you reduce the production of stress hormones like cortisol, the less your back muscles with bunch up and spasm from pent-up stress.
# 6: Hydrate More
Our muscles need a lot of water. If you’re not drinking sufficient water, then increasing your intake will help protect your spine. The intervertebral (spinal) disc is a fluid-filled structure, which get easily strained if water supply is not sufficient.
# 7: Get Cryotherapy
Find relief from backpain with Cryotherapy.
Cryotherapy, which literally means “cold therapy,” is a technique where the body is exposed to extremely cold temperatures for up to 3 minutes.
Recent studies have shown that cryotherapy can significantly improve lumbar spine mobility, reduce inflammation, decrease back pain and speed up recovery.
Hydralive Therapy is a clinic that offers state-of-the-art cryotherapy for people suffering from chronic back pain, and we’re waiting to show you how transformative the experience can be.
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