Back Pain - Self Help
Sunday, April 26th, 2009When suffering from back pain, you should use ice during the initial 24 to 48 hours, applying it, wrapped in a towel if this is most comfortable, for 20-minute periods. Heat should not be used during this initial period because it will increase the inflammation, but it can be used after the first 48 hours of pain. Sometimes you can vary your treatment with four minutes of a hot compress followed by one minute of cold.
After your back has recovered, do not immediately resume exercise. Many times people engage in full range of motion (ROM) exercises immediately and continue to do so even after feeling recurrences of pain. If you feel pain while performing ROM exercises, this signifies that you are not ready to do these exercises and should regress to an easier form that does not cause pain.
Nevertheless, do remember that regular exercise should serve as the basis for a proper self-help regimen. If you exercise consistently your body will be able to recover more quickly from an injury and there will be less chance of a recurrence. After receiving care-and your initial exercise go-ahead-from a health care professional, it is important to maintain your rehabilitation by adhering to an exercise program that suits your needs. Exercise that creates bodily aggravation should be immediately discontinued, and warm-up and cool-down exercises should be integral parts of your routine. Strenuous exercise immediately after you awaken is not recommended because your body lacks nutritional sustenance and your muscles are not prepared for any type of vigorous action at that particular time. Your routine should consist of a careful balance of light exercise, such as biking or swimming, and more difficult exercises. If you are lifting any type of heavy weight, forward bending-a common irritant of back problems-should be avoided.
Before commencing your regular exercise, it is imperative to stretch smoothly and gently, avoiding jerky motions. Muscles need to be warmed up before they engage in rigorous activity, and a proper warm-up routine will enable the muscles to effectively respond to the body’s increasing demands. Some people need more time to warm up than others, but in general, each stretching exercise should last at least 15 to 20 seconds.
When stretching the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, concentrate on the movements your body is making and be alert to any subtle twinges of pain. Be aware too that when stretching tight muscles, you shouldn’t overexert your body by stretching past the point of joint resistance, as this will only cause discomfort later. Stretching can be quite therapeutic, but only if you are aware of the signals your body is giving you. Feelings of pain, fatigue, or stiffness should provide an instant cue to stop what you are doing. Some popular stretches include trunk rotations, extension lifts, cat stretches, elbow props, pelvic swings, hip rolls, knee-la-chest rocking exercises, back leg swings, and hand and knee exercises.
Stretching properly can provide a multitude of advantages for the body. First of all, it can improve the bodys full range of motion because the muscles loosen up and become increasingly more mobile. As you become proficient in stretching, the amount of pain associated with the body’s movement will decrease as a result of increased circulation throughout the muscles. The muscles will begin to pump additional blood, causing improvements in your pulse rate, blood pressure, and overall strength. Stretching also contributes to the detoxification of the body because it increases venous drainage.
Once you’ve stretched, beneficial exercises include brisk walking while swinging the arms and breathing deeply, swimming, and bicycling. All of these exercises help to improve circulation, which is important for the healing process. Since a strong abdominal region is vital to increasing back strength, pushups and knee pushups, which strengthen both the upper body muscles and abdomen, are also advantageous. People with a history of back ailments should start out doing three to five repetitions of each exercise and work their way up to doing 10. But if pain is experienced during the performance of an exercise, the exercise should be discontinued immediately. Remember not to strain your body, and do not hesitate to seek professional advice if pain persists.
According to chiropractor Dr. Allen Pressman, athletic activities can be divided into three categories as a guide for back and neck patients. The first group, low risk activities, includes water aerobics, ballroom dancing, cycling, horseback riding, ice skating, basketball, the martial arts, skiing (without the falling aspect), soccer, swimming, and yoga. Medium-risk activities are badminton, baseball, jogging, sailing, squash, racquetball, tennis, volleyball, and wrestling. Some medium-risk activities, notes Pressman, should be considered high-risk for people with especially injury-prone backs or necks. The high-risk category includes such activities as aerobics, ballet, football, gymnastics, rowing, track and field, diving, weight training, and surfing. Activities in this final group should be avoided by people with back or neck problems, or should be performed under close supervision. Aerobics and jazzercise are quite popular, and they can be a lot of fun, but they often involve bending, twisting, and jerky motions, which can aggravate an injured back. So if you want to move on to these advanced forms of exercise, be sure to build up your fitness level at an easier low-impact level.
A final caveat concerning your exercise regimen: Rest, as well as movement, is an integral part. In order to fully reap the benefits of stretching and exercise, the body requires rest and relaxation after its workout to allow time for the muscles to repair themselves and grow.




