5 Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Back Pain

You get out of bed each morning and take a few steps to see what shape your back is in and whether you’ll be dealing with pain that day. Wouldn’t it be great to jump out of bed knowing that back pain won’t be paying an unwelcome visit?

The team here at Comprehensive Pain Management has the same wish for you, which is why we offer a wide range of treatments for back problems of all kinds, from compression fractures to spinal stenosis. While Drs. Do Chan and Boris Shwartzman can do their parts to alleviate your back pain, there’s much you can do on your own to improve the discomfort by incorporating a few back-friendly steps into your routine.

Here are five lifestyle changes to reduce back pain to get you started.

1. Get physical therapy

Your back is a complex and integrated structure, which means that all components have to be functioning well. One of the best ways to achieve overall back health is through physical therapy, which can strengthen all the areas of your back so the workload is spread out more evenly.

For example, if you have a degenerative condition, such as spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, or arthritis, your spinal nerves can become compromised as the structural integrity of your spine diminishes. Through physical therapy, we strengthen the surrounding soft tissues to take some of the pressure off your spine.

We’re happy to point you in the right direction for physical therapy, and we’ll work with your therapist so that you garner the best results.

2. Lose weight

Another great way to reduce back pain is by losing weight. Your spine is designed to carry a certain amount of weight, so when you add extra pounds, you may be overtaxing all of the structures in your back.

3. Watch what you eat

The American diet is, unfortunately, full of foods that encourage inflammation. A great way to reduce inflammation in your back (and elsewhere) is to avoid foods that contain high levels of saturated fats and sugar. So, instead of grabbing a snack like chips or cookies, turn to nutrient-rich foods like fruits and vegetables.

4. Stretch it out

Another great way to avoid back pain is to ensure that your back isn’t tight. A good stretching routine could be as simple as touching your toes, but you could make an even bigger impact if you engage in a practice like yoga. The good news is that yoga classes are easier than ever to find online, and you can start with a beginner course of just 30 minutes several times a week.

5. Give it a rest

If you want to avoid pain, you’d do well to listen to your back. If you start to feel pain after lifting something or sitting at your desk for too long, take a break and give your back a rest. Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something’s wrong, and if you try to “work through the pain,” you’ll likely be met with even more pain later.

If you have more questions about lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your back pain, or you’d like to make an appointment for help with your pain, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our offices in Attleboro or Franklin, Massachusetts, or South Kingstown or Warwick, Rhode Island.