De-stress Your Back
Many of us tend to carry our stress in our necks and our backs. Finding ways to relax this tension can be one of the most important things you can do to restore health and balance in your life. Although there are many ways to find this relaxation and tension relief, a few top choices will be listed below.
- Sleep Well – This may not be something on your mind when you think of back pain. However, ensuring that you have a good, firm mattress is very important for your back. Finding a way to ease the curvature of your spine and to support it during sleep is a great way to get the sleep you need and rest your back needs to continue its role in your health. If you have trouble sleeping, we recommend trying Sleep Already, a natural sleep aid.
- Gentle Exercise – When your back is in pain, it is necessary to get up and stretch and perform gentle exercise. If you can strengthen and stretch your muscles, you may be able to release some of the tension. It is best to experiment with different exercises and movements to see which ones will work best for your back.
- Chiropractor – Many people benefit from the spinal manipulations performed by a chiropractor. The practice of aligning the spine can bring a sense of relief to a tense and stressed back. The Chiropractic Health Center of Bristol is a wonderful place to visit and get a consultation with Dr. David Spitz. He can assess your back issues and find a customized plan to help ease the pain you are experiencing.
- Weight Loss – It is important to keep the pounds off, because excess weight can truly add to the pain your back is experiencing. Losing weight can give your back a break and lessen the pain you are feeling. Exercise to lose unwanted weight can also help to loosen up and stretch muscles that may become tight without use.
- Yoga – This is an extremely important form of exercise that can help to unwind myofascial tightness, increase body awareness, and learn how to improve breathing. The improved breathing process can help to relieve muscle tension and back pain. The stretching also rejuvenates and invigorates muscles with much needed oxygen.
- Natural Supplements – There are many supplements recommended to help ease back pain. Some of them are flaxseed oil, vitamin C, glucosamine, calcium and magnesium, and zinc. Relax Already is a natural muscle relaxant that can truly ease the symptoms of back pain. It is made with valerian root, lemon balm, cramp bark, chamomile flower, and passion flower. This product works as a natural muscle relaxant that doesn’t interfere with other medications. It lowers stress and can help with insomnia as well.
- Hot and Cold Therapy – Experimenting with hot and cold treatments can be a great way to ease discomfort and pain in the muscles. Heating pads can be used to reduce muscle cramping and tension. Cooling ice packs are used to reduce inflammation and swelling. Alternating these temperatures can provide relief without the need for medication that only masks the issue.
One of the exercises we’ll recommend is the Cat/Camel. This helps to get movement into your spine. (Note: do not begin any stretches for back pain until discussed with your chiropractor)
Dr David M. Spitz is the founder and clinic director of the Chiropractic Health Center of Bristol, located in Bristol, CT. Since 1982, he has treated thousands of patients for various conditions ranging from neck and back pain, to migraine headaches. He specializes in treating patients who have suffered whiplash injuries and/or back injuries in a motor vehicle accident.
Dr Spitz was a volunteer EMT-I and a lieutenant for several years at the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department. He has lectured throughout CT on various topics including, chiropractic, stress management, headaches and preventing back injury in the workplace.
