Back Pain Mistakes to Avoid
An aching back is a good reason to miss out on lots of fun summer activities, like swimming, grilling, or playing with the kids outside. With a tweaked back, anyone can feel there’s no relief in sight, but back pain can worsen post-injury. We’ve compiled some back pain mistakes to avoid when you have an injured back or spine. Continue reading to find out more:
Overdoing physical activity
Some think that keeping active through the pain can help it go away. Increasing exercise or simply keeping it the same as your pre-injury routine can damage an injury and land someone worse off than when they started. The reason for this is injured muscles or bruised bones need time to heal, and by increasing or maintaining regular activity, it puts added stress on the already sore spot. Take it easy for a few days and slowly get back into a routine, but only after you feel like you’re not experiencing intense pain.
Waiting immobile for the pain to subside
Counter to overdoing activity, it is also not wise to stay stationary or immobile after a back injury. Many years ago, a back injury was prescribed with extended bed rest. With advances in science and understanding of human biology, it’s clear that back pain is treated based on the current range of motion, and it’s often useful to return to light activity within 24-72 hours. Laying down or sitting for too long, post-injury hinders recovery and can counter the overall spinal healing process.
Using heat therapy too soon
One of the most common mistakes people make after a back issue flairs up is putting heat on it too quickly. For a throbbing back or recently strained area, use ice to reduce inflammation as soon as possible. Icing immediately after strain minimizes tissue damage and unnecessary additional pain. Adding heat too soon should be avoided for proper back care.
Only numbing the pain with pills
Painkillers and medication are not a remedy for back pain, just a mask. When used in conjunction with active treatment, certain medications can help with inflammation and recovery. That said, there are many adverse effects of using pain medication or muscle relaxers to ease back pain, such as addiction, drowsiness, and more.
Not talking to a chiropractic professional
If you’ve ever wondered why the most important person is “the backbone” of the operation, it’s because the spine is a critical part of human anatomy and function. Whenever faced with a back injury, pain, or discomfort, primarily if it occurs for several days, it’s best to consult a chiropractor and healthcare professional. Getting on a routine or plan to aid recovery can be discussed with a well-educated chiropractic care office and have you on the road to being pain-free.
While there are many avenues to explore that help proper back function, there are also easy-to-make mistakes that can leave a bad back worse off than where it began. Steer clear of these common back pain mistakes and look forward to happy days ahead!
