10 Tips for Easing Back Pain

Most low back pain goes away when the root cause is treated. Then it just needs a little rest, heat or cold and movement to get you back in the game. If your pain is due to arthritis and won’t stay away, get back to doing the things you love by practicing these self-care tips.

Therapeutic aquatic exercise can ease back pain and help you move better. In Europe, people also soak in hot mineral springs (called balneotherapy), and studies show the benefits are even greater when combined with exercise. So get moving – in warm water, with or without minerals.

Various types of exercise can relieve back pain, improve movement and enhance your quality of life. Yoga, tai chi, Pilates, aquatic exercise, and motor control exercise (that strengthen trunk muscles that hold up the spine) – have been shown helpful.

Stress and anxiety can worsen back pain. People with low back pain who engage in mindfulness-based stress reduction, biofeedback or cognitive-behavioral therapy report less pain. A licensed therapist can help you find your happy place and pain relief.

Wearing a brace or elastic corset can help to stabilize in your low back and abdomen and improve your mobility. Studies show that for people with a history of low back pain, wearing back support can reduce lost days of work. Will support weaken core muscles? Experts say no need to worry.

If you are overweight or obese, losing weight can ease your back pain. Overweight and obese people have nearly twice the rate of low back pain than healthy-weight people. The formula is simple, although carrying it out may not be: Eat less and move more.

For chronic low back pain, acupuncture, a popular form of Chinese medicine, can result in less pain and better function after the procedure and may last up to 12 weeks. Inserting thin needles at specific points is said to help release the body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals.

Spinal manipulation and mobilization by a licensed chiropractor or osteopathic physician can relieve back pain and improve movement. They help to keep spine joints in proper alignment. Tell the practitioner if you have osteoporosis, spinal cord compression or inflammatory arthritis before trying these procedures.

Massage can provide relief for all types of pain but it’s not a long-term fix. If you have chronic back pain, not only your body will benefit from the therapy but also your mind. It’s a great stress reliever, which is also good news for pain relief and general well-being.

Studies show that combining physical and mental therapies may be the best way to reduce pain and get back to your activities. So, for example, develop a plan that includes yoga, massage, biofeedback and water exercise.

Sometimes self-care options don’t bring sufficient relief. In those cases, you may opt for medicines. Those that work best for chronic back pain include NSAIDs, opioids, tramadol and duloxetine. All medications have side effects and can interact with other medicines you take. Always discuss medication options with your doctor.