Lower back pain is among the common reasons for missing work days. This is because the lower back often supports the upper body’s weight and is subjected to more strain and stress, especially during daily movements, such as twisting and lifting.

Among the things that cause pain in the lower back include physical activities, arthritis, sudden injuries, and wear and tear. Regardless of what causes pain in the lower back, the following are techniques that can help you relieve and treat it:

1. Physical Therapy

Exercise serves as the basis for treating lower back pain. It is among the treatments you need to try out under a spine physical therapist and physician’s guidance. But the same set of physical activities doesn’t work out for everyone.

This is why exercises must be personalized to your condition and symptoms. Maintaining an exercise routine is part of success. Some of the physical therapy for lower back pain might include the following:

• Core strengthening
• Aerobic exercises
• Flexibility and stretching exercises
• Testing limits of pain tolerance
• Retraining posture

2. Neurosurgery

If you think of what a neurosurgeon does, you may think of skull-based or brain surgery. However, you will be surprised that a neurosurgeon can also deal with spine-related issues.

A qualified neurosurgeon can treat part of your spine, from the neck to the lower back. Specialties in neurosurgery allow neurosurgeons to perform skull base and minimally invasive spine procedures.

3. Sleep Better

If you are experiencing back pain, getting some sleep will be difficult. It might be a vicious cycle since inadequate sleep can make lower back pain feel worse.

Poor sleeping position may as well aggravate your back pain. So try to lie on the side and put a pillow between the knees. This will help keep the spine neutral and, at the same time, relieve strain or stress on the back.

4. Lightening the Load

Heaving or improper lifting is one of the major causes of lower back pain. However, this doesn’t just happen to individuals lifting heavy boxes at work.

Carrying a heavy suitcase, bag, groceries, or camera may as well cause stress on the back. If possible, consider lightening your load by distributing weight to all the sides of your body, shifting weight from one shoulder to another, or carrying less. Therefore, if possible, use a bag with wheels or a rolling cart for heavy loads, such as boxes of files or bags of groceries.

5. Engaging the Brain

Lower back pain experts understand that pain and suffering are more complicated when compared to sensation. How your brain processes and interprets pain signals plays a vital role in the way you perceive pain.

Fortunately, you may improve your skills for the brain to ignore or reduce pain signals. Some of the strategies you may try out include the following:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Mindful pain management

In a Nutshell

Even with proper prevention, lower back injuries may interrupt and happen in everyday life, making intervention necessary. The right neurosurgery center may help with pain care and wellness. When surgery is required, an orthopedic and neurosurgical team will use their advanced technology to provide the best surgical treatments and medical care services.