What is Chronic Back Pain?
Chronic back pain is an umbrella term for a range of conditions that cause long-lasting pain in the back and/or neck. This can include muscle strain, arthritis, and sciatica. Back pain can also be caused by problems with the intervertebral discs, the vertebrae of the spinal column, the tendons, ligaments, or other soft tissues.
Most people experience some degree of back pain at some point in their lives. Although many people recover from this pain, it can be debilitating if left untreated. To give you a better chance at managing your back pain, we’ve put together the following tips to help you understand what causes back pain and how to alleviate it.
- Stretching and mobility exercises
A regular full body stretching routine is crucial for relieving tension and improving range of motion along the spinal column. Make sure to warm up before stretching, and don’t forget about your hips and glutes.
- Sleep on a more supportive mattress
Your choice of mattress can have a big impact on the severity of your back pain. Research suggests that medium-firm mattresses are best for those with back pain, as they provide good support and relieve pressure on the spinal column. However, if you suffer from chronic back pain, it’s important to find a mattress that conforms to your individual needs. You can also try a bed that elevates your body a few inches off the ground, which can also help to reduce back pain symptoms.
- Keep active
Chronic back pain can make the very thought of exercise seem unbearable. However, there are ways to work around this and still get the physical activity that you need. Low-impact cardio and bodyweight exercises are a great place to start. Not only will an active lifestyle help keep your body healthy and functional, but it’s also a great way to keep your mind from dwelling on your back pain.
- Minimize inflammatory foods
Inflammatory foods are those that have a high concentration of inflammatory nutrients, such as sugar, refined grains, and trans fats. While it may not seem like a big deal, consuming these foods on a regular basis can exacerbate your symptoms and hamper recovery.
- Talk to a chiropractor
The only thing better than managing chronic back pain is treating the root cause of the condition. A chiropractor can analyze your spine and identify any imbalances or vertebral misalignments that may be causing your pain. Chiropractors are also skilled in providing treatments such as adjustments, physical therapy, and mobility exercises. So, if you’re looking for an effective way to manage your chronic back pain, visiting a chiropractor is well worth your time (bonus points if they are trained in the Blair Upper Cervical Technique like our very own Dr. Bello).
If you’re looking for a long-term treatment option for back pain, Dr. Bello is here to help. He offers upper cervical chiropractic care to patients in Brentwood, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, West Los Angeles, and the surrounding areas.