Back Pain: Are You Getting the Whole Picture?


Almost everyone knows what it’s like to cope with back pain—but what we often forget is how closely our back is connected to the rest of us.  While it’s important to keep your doctors up-to-date on any health or pain issues, dealing with back pain doesn’t always mean a trip to the specialist when you keep an eye on your whole mental and physical self. With practice, you can address and even prevent common sources of pain, right in your own home.

The Truth About Relaxation

Did you think meditation means yoga poses that put your heels above your head? Think again. Sometimes, soothing the pain of muscle tension is a simple matter of taking a few minutes to relax and focus on the present moment. This doesn’t mean shutting yourself up in new age studio. Anything that breaks your usual stressful thought cycle in favor of enjoying the moment for a little while can work.

Try simple things like

·         Walking

·         Swimming

·         Having a cup of your favorite tea

·         Drawing, painting or other hobby

·         Grabbing a book from your bedside library

Breathe In, Breathe Out

Sometimes unsnarling the knots in your back can be as simple as reconnecting with your own breath. When we sit for long periods, perhaps at a computer or other work-station, we fall into a cycle of short, shallow breaths without even realizing it. But thinking of your stomach and pelvis as a bowl to fill with air can do wonders to soothe muscles throughout your body.

Try taking a break to lie flat on your back, with a pillow under your knees. Place your hands on your stomach and concentrate on their rise and fall as you take deep breaths into your belly. This helps your muscles unwind from your neck all the way down to your pelvic floor, and though we may not realize it, they’re all connected.

Other Tips to Feel Better

·         Try aiming a warm shower steam at your back to chase away the stress that accumulates day after day.

·         Interact with your pet, or borrow your neighbor’s dog for a stroll. Science shows us that interacting with animals can help lower our heart-rate and blood pressure.

·         When was the last time you touched someone else? Hugging a friend or cuddling with a partner for a few moments can give you a physical as well as a mental boost.

A painful back doesn’t exist apart from the rest of you. Taking a few moments throughout the day to reconnect with your breath and body can keep harmful stress from building until you’re in pain.

We’re full of more customized tips to help you keep on top of your health every day, and the doctors and staff of Non-Surgical Orthopaedics are here for you when stress or an injury slows you down. Schedule an appointment with us today by calling (770) 421-1420 or clicking on our web contact form.

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