How to reduce back pain

For the last two years, I have been getting these mysterious bouts of back pain which disappear magically after tormenting for a week . After many trips to the doctor, the mystery was solved. The pain I was suffering was because of the kidney stone (Urolithiasis) present in my body. The diagnosis was compounded by the fact that back pain can be due a variety of reasons like stress, muscle pull, poor posture, insufficient nutrition etc. During my tryst with back pain my only solace was the knowledge that “I was not alone in this agony”, in fact back pain is the single biggest contributor to lost man-hours at workplaces.

In this article I am going to discuss some tips for relief from back ache & prevention steps too. I have personally benefitted from these tips & hope that they provide relief to you too. However, I urge you to visit a doctor if the pain persists for more than 5 days.

Tips for relief from back pain:

Start sleeping on hard floor: In my case, there was a distinct difference in pain levels when I slept on a hard floor. I have no hesitation in recommending this to everyone with back pain. In case of severe pain try this posture for 30 minutes- Lie flat on the ground with a support (pillow or rolled towel) under your neck, rest your legs on a chair( about 18” high). Just relax in this position for 20-30 minutes. This works as a great pain reliever, especially for lower back ache.

Drink lots of water: Our spinal cord is made up of vertebrate. The discs between these vertebrates are supposed to be kept lubricated. The gliding capacity of our cartilage decreases whenever it is dehydrated. The environment of cartilage changes to acidic from an alkaline state due to dehydration. This acid sensitizes the nerve ending which in turn releases a stimulus of pain. Many will experience relief from backache just by drinking sufficient water!

Use acupressure: Acupressure gives us the same affect of pain relievers (ibuprofens) without the side effects. The acupressure technique explained here is quite simple to master & pretty effective. Find the “V” joint between the thumb & index finger of your hand. Use your thumb from other hand to press at that spot for 10 seconds. Repeat this pressure for 5-6 times. It is important to concentrate on the area of pain while applying the pressure. Watch the video here that demonstrates this acupressure technique:

Tips for preventing back ache:

Choose footwear with care: We put a lot of pressure on the back by wearing heals. Gents must stick to sneakers whenever possible & ladies should never wear heals of more than 2 inches.

Exercise: Exercise to improve the posture is the best prevention against back pain. Stretching exercises & abdominal crunches are good for the back too. The best exercise to correct your posture is to just hang down by the bar.

Small lifestyle changes:

• Do not carry laptop bag on the same shoulder always, by doing that you are always slouching on one side which is not good for the back.
• Gents should avoid carrying bulgy wallets in the back pocket. This simple change can better your sitting posture for 6-8 hours a day.
• Watch less television. Since watching television is considered a leisure activity, we sit or recline into an relaxed posture. This means that; the longer we watch TV , weaker our back becomes ! Either cut down on TV hours or sit in an erect posture while watching television.