Back pain is one of the most common ailments we help our patients with at our chiropractic clinic. Although seeing a chiropractor about your back pain is a great way to find some relief and improve function, there are things you can do at home to manage your lower back pain in between appointments:
1. Stretch and strengthen—Strengthening your muscles, especially the ones in your abdominal core, can provide support to your back and limit your lower back pain. We recommend starting off a series of strengthening and stretching exercises first thing in the morning to prevent back pain before it starts to set in.
2. Keep moving—You might not feel like getting off the couch and powerwalking around the block when you’re in pain. But staying sedentary weakens your muscles. Even if you have lower back pain, try to keep up your activity level throughout the week.
3. Shed those extra pounds—Shedding those extra pounds can reduce the load you put on your back. Ask your doctor about an exercise and diet plan that will work for you.
4. Practice good posture—Maintaining good posture can reduce the amount of pressure put on your lower back. When you sit and stand, center your head over your pelvis and refrain from slouching your shoulders. If you work in front of a computer, keep your eyes level with the top of the screen and keep your arms rested evenly on your desk.