How to Lose the Back Pain

Back pain can make life unbearable for many people. Not only is it painful, it can make everyday life extremely hard. Trying to do simple things such as picking up an item off the floor, lifting your backpack or bending down to tie your shoes becomes quite a task. However, you can start doing things today to help alleviate or lose the pain in your back and start on the road to recovery.

Instructions

• 1

  Try not to sit or stand in the same position for too long. Sitting or standing in a fixed position for an extended period of time can cause your back muscles to tighten. If you are already experiencing some level of back pain, moving after sitting or standing for a while can be quite painful. The best thing you can do if you have been sitting for a while is to stand up, stretch your back muscles and go for a short walk every hour or so. If you have been standing for a while, sit down occasionally to take the pressure off your back and leg muscles.

• 2

  Practice good posture while you sit or stand -- stop slouching. Bad posture puts a lot of pressure on your spine and back muscles. Over time, the muscles in your back begin to weaken and you start to feel the ill effects of hunching over or slouching. Stand and sit with good posture, keeping your back straight, head up, and shoulders back.

• 3

  Wear a back support during the day. This will help stabilize the back muscles while you are doing everyday activities such as walking or bending down. If you are experiencing lower back pain, this type of support will help keep the muscles from being strained any further and will allow you more mobility throughout your day.

• 4

  Shed a few pounds. If you are overweight and carrying some extra weight around your midsection, losing some pounds will help ease the stress on your back. Excess weight around your stomach causes your body to be pulled forward. This action also pulls the muscles in your back forward as well. Over time, this puts stress on the muscles in your back, which causes pain in that area. Losing weight will help lessen the stress on your back.

• 5

  Take over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. These can help ease minor to moderate back pain. If you are experiencing higher levels of back pain, consult your physician to prescribe something stronger. Ask for oral medications or topical creams that can be spread around the painful area. Consult a physician before taking any kind of medication.