Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Treating Your Pregnancy Back Pain

Pregnancy comes with a variety of interesting changes in your body—some are fun and exciting, and some are downright painful. Back pain is certainly one of the most common ones, and can make just about everything you try to do excruciating.

While your belly is growing, your back is having to become stronger and stronger, in a short amount of time. It ends up enduring so much pressure and tension, that it begins to cramp, and experiences inflammation. There are a few things you can do to try to relieve this pain, since you cannot take pain killer medications safely anymore.

1.    Try sleeping on your side at night, instead of on your back. If you can, keep one or both of your knees bent.

2.    Use pillow to support you, and keep you comfortable; whether you are sleeping, sitting watching TV, or even working on the computer, you need to make sure you back is getting the proper cushioning and support.

3.    Make sure that you are practicing good posture. Be sure to always stand straight and tall, hold your chest high, and try not to lock your knees.

4.    Get a massage; when pain gets to be too much to deal with, let someone give you maternity massage. It will be the perfect time to relax and breathe deeply, while your tension get kneaded away.

Apply each of these things can make a huge difference. There are lots of other things you can try in addition, which you can find online. You could even ask your local chiropractor for some tips and tricks on combating pregnancy pain.

Today is the perfect day to begin taking care of your back. After all, it has a very important job to do for the next nine months!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

How to Relieve Low Back Pain

If you have chronic pain in your low back, you know how frustrating it can be. It can limit your activity level, and make you want to spend the rest of the evening in bed. Sometimes you even begin to feel it shooting pain down in your hips and legs.

If this has been true for you, it is time to take matters into your own hands. Since you usually can’t run off to the chiropractor’s office every time you feel pain, you will need to try some remedies at home. There are few different things you can try, to relieve aching low back muscles:

           1.       Work on maintaining good posture; keeping your back straight and your hips aligned throughout the day can make a big difference at the end of the night.

           2.       Try some hot and cold therapy; you can use ice packs to relieve any inflammation, and hot packs or warm baths to get muscles to release.

           3.       Avoid repetitive motions if you can; repetition is one of the key causes of back pain. The more you can avoid bending over and over or lifting heavy things repeatedly, the better.

           4.       Exercise; make sure you are getting at least thirty minutes of exercise a day, to keep your back feeling strong and healthy.

If you try to implement these tips, you may begin to see a difference at the end of the day. If the pain does not go away or worsens, talk to your doctor or chiropractor.

Pain does not have to become a part of your daily life. Take the steps you can today to get rid of low back pain forever.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Choosing the Right Chiropractor to Relieve Your Back Pain


If you are struggling with pain in your neck, shoulders, and back, you know how limiting it can be to your lifestyle. It can make everything more difficult, and can take the enjoyment out of things which were previously positive to you. You should seek the help of a licensed chiropractor right away, and begin your path to healing.

When choosing which chiropractor to go to for treatment, there are many different things which you will need to consider. Going to the first person you find in the yellow pages is not always the best idea. If you can, you should always go to someone who comes highly recommended from someone you know. However, if you cannot find any references, here are a few things to consider:

      1.       Find out whether your health insurance covers chiropractic care, and see if the provider you want accepts that insurance

      2.       Find out what their specialty is—if they mostly manipulate one area and the majority of your pain is in another, you may want to try someone else

      3.       Avoid chiropractors who offer a “special new treatment” or a “cure”—these are usually false claims
     
      4.       Choose someone who is willing to really take time with you, and listen to all of your symptoms. You want someone who will help you identify the root of the pain, not just the symptoms.

Whoever you decide to go with is completely up to. However, if you apply some of these tips, you may be able to find someone that can truly provide you healing benefits. 

Find someone who makes you feel completely comfortable, relaxed, and heard. You may find that your spine and back return to full function in no time.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Relaxing the Muscles in Your Back Before Bed


When it is time to go to sleep at night, you may find that your aching back keeps you awake. The stress on our backs from our jobs, or from chasing children around can really take a toll. Sometimes it is very difficult to be able to let go of that tension when the day is done.

However, there are certain things that you can do to release the muscles surrounding your spine. If you make an effort to relax and release every night, you will be able to fall asleep more quickly, and sleep more soundly once you do. Some of the things you can do to ensure this include:
       
       1.       Try some light stretching of your back, neck, and shoulders
       
       2.       Take deep breathes, inhaling and exhaling completely
       
       3.       Lay with your back flat on the ground, and focus on imagining all of the muscles releasing one by one

       4.      Do some relaxing yoga

All of these ideas can help to relieve any pain or discomfort you may be feeling from the day’s work. Focus on calming your mind, and letting go of any residual stress you may be feeling. Staying hydrated is another key component to this process.

If you are able to master these techniques, you may find that you can rest much more easily and peacefully at night. After all, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.