Chronic back pain is one of the more serious problems afflicting citizens of the modern age. It’s actually the most commonly reported source of pain in the United States. Around 65 million Americans report having back pain in the recent past. At least 8 percent of them say that it’s severe enough that it limits their lives. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep the condition form happening to you, as well as fight it if it does.
Back Pain Causes
The ultimate cause of Chronic back pain isn’t generally known, though it can come from various different sources. Fibromyalgia can affect soft tissue areas on your back, for example. Fibromyalgia pain management often requires more extreme strategies such as specific medication. Back pain can also be caused by Sciatica, which can cause pain the lower part of your back and legs. Back pain can even indicate serious conditions like Cauda Equina Syndrome, so it I gets bad enough it’s important to visit your doctor.
Get the Right Bed
One of the most important things to do for your back is make sure it’s comfortable while you’re sleeping in bed. After all, you spend about a third of your life resting on your back while sleeping. It can help to get special mattresses that support your back properly, as well as make sure that you sleep in positions that will be good for your back.
Mattress Types
The right mattress isn’t the sort of thing that you can really tell just by pushing on it either. It might feel soft at first, but what really helps out your back is something firm. There are certain beds that let each side have a different level of back support, and this would be ideal for partners where one has chronic back pain and the other doesn’t. If you haven’t checked your mattress in a while, the best time is right now. It’s worth flipping over your mattress to check to see if there are any busted springs. You can tell by looking for dents and sags in the frame. If the springs aren’t working properly anymore, then they aren’t properly supporting your back and it may be time for a new mattress.
Sleep Properly
It might seem strange, but it’s important that you get into the right position when you sleep. Some of the first signs of the onset of back pain can be stiffness and soreness in your neck and upper back. Oddly enough, the absolute worst way to sleep in terms of positions is sleeping on your stomach. This extends your neck and rotates it awkwardly since you can’t sleep face down for breathing reasons. This aggravates your joints and strains them as you twist around awkwardly. As a result, the best way to sleep is either straight on your back, or on your side.
