A bout of lower back pain can range from a mild annoyance to a debilitating, chronic condition. Almost everyone will experience lower back pain at some point in their life, whether it be from heavy lifting, sleeping on an uncomfortable hotel mattress, or otherwise. As long as the pain is not from a serious injury, there are some simple ways to try and manage the pain from the comfort of your own home:
- Light exercise – walking, swimming, or riding a stationary bike can help keep your low back mobile and strong
- Ice – applying ice to the lower back in the first 24 to 48 hours after it starts hurting can help reduce inflammation
- Core strengthening – working on your abdominal strength can support the lower back, making future injury less likely
- Work ergonomically – if your job requires time behind a desk, make sure it’s set up properly so you’re not hunched over or straining to reach the keyboard
- Proper footwear – ladies might benefit from ditching the heels in favor of flats, which will decrease the pressure on the lower part of the spine.
If you’ve already tried these tips and your lower back pain is still nagging, chances are the underlying cause hasn’t been addressed. While these ideas can be helpful in a pinch, if the root cause isn’t addressed, the pain can become a more chronic issue. Understanding the mechanics and function of the spine is key to getting to the bottom of lower back pain.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and lower back pain and sciatica download our complimentary e-book
Lower Back Pain and Your Neck
The spine is made up of 33 vertebrae that work together to provide protection for the spinal cord. The uppermost vertebra that sits just beneath the skull is the atlas, which is like the first link in a chain. When this link shifts away from its normal alignment, it affects everything below it.
In the spine, this creates abnormal tension on the spinal cord and nerves, which leads to improper signals being sent and received over these nerves. This can cause many issues in the body including postural distortion, muscle spasm, and pain. While the pain you’re feeling is in your lower back, the actual cause of the pain may very well be coming from the neck. All the adjustments in the world to the low back wouldn’t help in this case, and may actually stand to make things worse.
While it may seem counterintuitive to receive relief care in an area that may not be symptomatic, addressing the atlas misalignment can bring the entire body back into balance and relieve lower back pain. Contact us for your free consultation today – your lower back will thank you!
References:
http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/features/manage-low-back-pain-home
To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Lucas Watterson or Dr. Amy Watterson call our Morgantown office at 304-244-1817 You can also click the button below.
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