If you’ve been having chronic back pain, chances are you’ve tried several solutions to fix the problem. Depending on the severity of your pain and your previous medical condition(s), your doctor may recommend a combination of natural and conventional treatments to alleviate your pain. Here are some solutions you may want to consider to make your chronic back pain a thing of the past.
1. Adjust Your Lifestyle
If you know you’re dealing with chronic back pain, you’ll have to make some adjustments to fit your lifestyle and lower your chance of back injury. Don’t try to take all the groceries in the house at one time. Instead, make several trips if you need to. Don’t overdo it when you’re working out. Listen to your body and take breaks any time you start to feel too much pain or pressure. You can also modify or do away with some of the habits that could be contributing to your pain. If you’re a smoker, talk to your doctor about ways to kick the habit. Nicotine has been known to slow the healing process and worsen the pain. You should also be mindful of how much alcohol you’re consuming. While a glass of red wine or two can reduce inflammation, too much alcohol dehydrates the body and could make your pain worse.
2. A Healthy Diet
If you experience back pain often, you may want to take a look at your diet. There are several common foods that lead to inflammation, so if you’re eating processed foods that contain white flour or sugar, eliminating them from your diet can significantly alleviate your back pain. Be sure your diet is filled with lots of fruits and vegetables, since these build your immune system and protect your body from free radicals. Healthy foods also help you manage your weight, which takes the pressure off of the muscles and joints in and around your spine. This is crucial for eliminating back pain as well.
3. Mindfulness Meditation
Back pain is not just a physical inconvenience; it can also take a toll on your mental and emotional state. Practicing meditation regularly can reduce the frustration and anxiety you feel about your ongoing back pain and train you to relax your mind and body so you won’t so intently on the pain.
4. Physical Therapy
If you’re waking up every day with chronic pain in your back, exercise could help relieve some of the tension and discomfort. It’s a good idea to meet with a physical therapist at least once a month. You should also make time to schedule exercise sessions at home so you can continue relieving pain from your muscles and improving your flexibility. Physical therapy also helps you maintain better posture which takes some of the pressure off your spinal joints.
5. Surgery
If you’ve tried natural remedies and haven’t found any long-term relief, you may want to speak with your doctor about the types of minimally invasive spine surgery that is right for you.
This type of surgery stabilizes the joints in your spine and strengthens the vertebrae, which reduces pressure on the nerves in your spine. If you’ve experienced a herniated disc or have scoliosis, this type of operation may be beneficial for you.
Minimally invasive surgery is often safer and is quicker than conventional back surgeries. You’ll lose less blood and there’s a lower risk of muscle damage. You may also experience a shorter recovery time, which means you can get back to doing the things you love faster. If the surgery is minimally invasive, you likely won’t have many visible scars, which means you can feel confident wearing certain outfits or swimwear after surgery. While you’re healing, you’ll also have a lower risk of pain after your operation and the likelihood of infection is lower with minimally invasive surgery as well.
It may take a combination of solutions to permanently get rid of your chronic back pain. Each time you try a remedy, pay attention to the way your body feels and keep your physician aware of any supplements or natural remedies you’re using to reduce your pain. Consider your current state of health and any medications you’re taking to determine if surgery is the ideal solution for your chronic back pain.