How to Put an End to Back Pain Without Taking Painkillers, Without Risking Surgery and Without Having to Wait to See the GP!
By Mike Davis, Physiotherapist
If you’ve got lower back pain, it’s very tempting to brush it off and think that it will go away on its own. You could also put it down to an awkward night’s sleep, or a “spasm” or a bit of stiffness that “everyone” your age suffers from… but it doesn’t seem to be shifting!
Is it affecting the things you love to do? Is it stopping you from getting to the gym or going for a run or that daily walk in the park? Is it stopping you from being able to play with you kids or grandchildren??
If that’s happening to you, you’re not alone – and we hear this type of thing all the time. In fact, lower back pain and sciatica are the most common problems that we see in our physio clinic.
And when it comes to living with back pain, everybody we see wants to know why it is happening or why they are still suffering with back pain after 6 months + of pain.
Most people think that when they get back pain, it’s just going to go away on its own; that they’ll wake up one morning and it will be as though the pain in their back was never there! But then 6 months later, you’re still living with back pain – often even worse than it was initially.
Does That Sound Like You?
Another scenario we see all the time in our Physio clinic is when people go to the doctor, and the they tell them to rest and “try these painkillers” and “see how it goes”.
This is rarely ever the best advice and often 6 weeks later, they end up going back to the doctor because the pain hasn’t improved. Worse, they’re often given yet another prescription of even stronger pills, and advised MORE rest. This is madness and explains why so many people aged 50+ are suffering with chronic lower back pain.
The brain acts as an amplifier meaning the more you worry and think about your back pain the worse it gets. Do you think this has happened to you? Maybe you think your back pain was caused by doing something like lifting or sleeping awkwardly, but very often it can be caused by years and years of poor posture and poor movement patterns, causing the muscles in your lower back to become weak and the pain from the awkward sleeping position was just the EFFECT of that.
So what can you do to get rid of your back pain quickly?
Well, there’s 4 things you can do:
1. First off, you need to make a decision about getting help. So many people procrastinate for so long, thinking that back pain will ‘just go away with time’, but then 6 months down the line they’re still putting up with it, or it is even worse.
2. Next, do the RIGHT exercises – motion is lotion for your back! One of the best things to help you ease your back pain is to do the right series of progressive exercises – the right exercises given to you by a Physiotherapist will help reduce pain and allow you to move freely again. They will also make sure that the problems don’t come back anytime soon.
3. Avoid sitting for long periods of time – ever tried to get up from the sofa after resting for a while, but you struggle because your back feels so painful and tight? That’s because one of the worst things you can do that adds to back pain is rest, and sit for long periods of time. Too much rest, and sitting in awkward positions makes your back stiff and tight. It would really help if you were given appropriate strengthening exercises for better posture to get you active and healthy as quickly as possible. Remember that protecting your back and avoiding movement can make you worse.
4. Get real, “hands-on” Physiotherapy to help resolve your pain – physio is proven to help people with lower back pain. If your back pain is affecting your job, your ability to keep active, if it threatens your independence or gets in the way of spending quality time with family and friends then physiotherapy can help get you back to living the life you deserve as quickly as possible.
So don’t procrastinate any longer!! Let the experts at Bodies Under Construction help you resolve your back pain, regain your independence and enable you to get back to enjoying life.
Don’t forget our FREE Virtual Back Pain workshop on Wednesday 23rd February where you will learn how best to manage your back pain. If this sounds of interest, get in touch!
Leslie is a Master Trainer for the world renowned Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute(APPI). He is regular key note speaker at conferences and travels internationally to present on modified exercise for rehabilitation.
Leslie is the founder of Bodies Under Construction Clinics situated in Berkshire and London. A specialist Private Physiotherapy Practice for People of all ages, but especially those in their 30’s. 40’s, 50’s and 60’s and beyond, who want to keep healthy and active.
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