Seeing a chiropractor to help alleviate your back pain can help you move from someone who is largely immobile and in constant discomfort to someone who can regain his or her former quality of life. It will often take several adjustments for your chiropractor to turn a sore back into a pain-free one, so it's important that you don't do anything in the meantime that worsens the pain or pushes your back out of alignment. Your chiropractor will explain the specific activities — vigorous exercises, for example — that you should abstain from, but there are several other seemingly innocent things that could complicate the pain. Here are some things to avoid.
Sleeping Too Long
When you have back pain, it's common to want to spend time in bed because you're uncomfortable walking and sitting. Too much time spent lying down, however, can actually cause your back pain to worsen. You may actually notice that on the nights that you do sleep well, you're in more pain when you climb out of bed and your back feels stiff and uncomfortable throughout the day. You should try to keep your sleep each night within the range of seven to nine hours if you're an adult between the ages of 26 and 64. You can also speak to your chiropractor for some nighttime recommendations that can help you sleep soundly, despite the pain in your back, so that you avoid oversleeping.
Staying In One Position For Long Periods
Just as it's important to avoid slouching when you're seated if you want to prevent worsening your back pain, you should also try to avoid staying in any given position for too long — even if your posture is adequate. This means that it's best to get up regularly during the workday, and even when you're sitting on the couch in the evening you should move around a little. If your drive to work is lengthy, you should try to give yourself time to take a short walk when you reach your workplace, before you go sit at your desk.
Depression
Depression can worsen pre-existing back pain. While you can't simply "avoid" depression, it's important to know that this condition can be worsening your discomfort. Having this knowledge means that you'll be able to take steps to work on the depression, whether it's seeking the help of a therapist or visiting your doctor for medication. Sometimes, simple lifestyle changes, such as exercising more, can also be effective at reducing the symptoms of depression.
For more information, consult with a chiropractor, like one from Rockwood Chiropractic.
Share9 August 2016
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