Help with Chronic Back Pain

If you suffer from chronic back pain, then there are some things you want to do to help you feel better throughout the day. Some of these things may require a referral from your doctor, but others can be done on your own. Before you try anything new or extreme, always make sure you get the approval from your doctor. Here are some of the things you can do to help with chronic pain in your back.

Make your home a friendlier place for your back

An important part of feeling better will be to go through your home and spot the areas that cause you to experience more pain. If you have a hard time reaching over your washing machine to get the clothes out, then you may want to purchase a front-loading washing machine. If you have a refrigerator with the freezer on the bottom and you have a hard time digging around for frozen goods, consider purchasing a side-by-side refrigerator. This way, you can keep the foods you use less on the bottom and cut down on the need to bend down so low regularly. If you have a hard time standing in the shower for the duration of your shower, purchase a shower chair, so you can wash in the seated position.

Stretch before you rise from bed

Getting up from sleeping too soon can cause your back to hurt worse. If you wake up a few minutes earlier, then you will be able to stretch around in bed for a bit before standing. This can help to make your whole day a little bit better where back pain is concerned.

Purchase large ice packs and a long heating pad

When your back hurts you can feel it with your hand. If it feels hot or swollen, then you should lie on a large ice pack to help bring down the inflammation. If your back hurts but doesn't feel hot or swollen to the touch, then you may find a heating pad to help you feel relief.

See professionals

A chiropractor can help by properly aligning your back, which can take some of the pain away. A physical therapist can help with back pain by teaching you exercises you can do to strengthen your back muscles safely. An acupuncturist can help by using acupuncture to affect some of the nerves in your back so your back isn't as sensitive.