If you've ever groaned, "Oh my aching back!", you are not alone. Back pain is one of the most common medical problems, affecting 8 out of 10 people at some point during their lives.
Mehmet Oz, M.D., better known as Dr. Oz, believes chiropractors can help 80 percent of people with back pain.
Back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain. Acute back pain comes on suddenly and usually lasts from a few days to a few weeks.
A Consumer Reports survey determined chiropractic outperforms other alternative therapies for back pain.
Back pain is called chronic if it lasts for more than three months.
Most back pain goes away on its own, though it may take awhile. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers and resting can help. However, staying in bed for more than 1 or 2 days can make it worse.
Get moving slowly to help back pain.
Make sure your desk and computer aren't making you feel bad. Learn about ergonomics. & breathing correctly.
Stretching and activity can help reduce back pain and speed your recovery after an injury. Improving flexibility by stretching is also a good way to avoid future injuries.
Your individual injury and level of pain will dictate what exercise and rehabilitation program will be most effective. The most important thing is to start slowly. Then you can increase repetitions as you feel stronger.
If you have low back pain, in particular, ask your doctor of chiropractic before starting a new exercise program. He can give you an individualized program and teach you about proper stretching technique.
If you don't use the correct technique, you may end up stretching the wrong muscles and not feel any better as a result.
Passive stretching can help increase mobility in a specific muscle or joint. Hold stretches for 15-30 seconds so the muscles can gradually relax and lengthen.
But stretches should never cause pain. Stop immediately, if you feel any discomfort.
If your back pain is severe or doesn't improve after three days, you should call your health care provider. You should also get medical attention if you have back pain following an injury.
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