How to get relief from lower back pain

 

If you have ever suffered from lower back pain you’ll know just how invasive it can be.

This may come as small consolation, but believe me, you are not alone.

As many as 1 in 3 adults in the UK suffer from back pain, especially lower back pain, according to research done by BUPA

But what can you do to manage the pain? …

And what are the latest ways to treat it?

Background on lower back pain

The lower area of the back (that starts below the ribcage) is called the lumbar region. With our modern lifestyles, there are a number of factors that can cause pain in this area.

Acute injuries can come from heavy lifting, sudden twisting, or from overdoing it on the golf course at the weekend!

But the lower back pain I wish to address here is the chronic pain, which usually refers to a problem that has persisted for 3 months or more.

This kind of lower back pain often rears its ugly head some time in your 30s. Almost invariably it is the result of sitting at a desk all day, especially if your chair is uncomfortable, or if you have a tendency to slouch.

The troubles are particularly exacerbated if you are overweight or live a generally inactive lifestyle.

Getting relief from lower back pain

The first thing you need to do is establish how serious it is. It’s worth checking out with your GP if the cause is acute. Find out if it is down to a rupture or even a bulging disc. If so, you need to take specialist advice in the first instance.

If it is chronic however, and solely down to a slow deterioration in the structure of the lower back, there are some very clear steps you can take.

To get tangible relief from the pain, I’d suggest a mixture of exercise, stretching and massage Researches noted that patients who did all three were able to move around more easily and suffered less both in the short and long-term.

As a side note, if the pain is caused by a muscle strain, avoid the temptation to over-rest it.

Studies suggest that any more than a day or two of bed rest can actually make the pain worse and may reduce muscle tone and flexibility.

Stay hydrated to ease your lower back pain

There has been a fairly recent explosion of interest into what is known as fascia research. The new investigations go beyond the superficial information provided by some parts of the medical arena.

The new theory claims that the body is connected by a system of connected tissue (known as Fascia), and has found that the body is not the passive structure that was once outlined in anatomy studies.

The fascia is made up of collagen, elastin and other fibres. Importantly it is bathed in cellular fluid. Unfortunately, bad lifestyle habits can lead to this connective tissue becoming dehydrated. And without adequate fluid, the connective tissue is not robust enough to support your body properly (Especially the lower back!).

Clearly, drinking enough water and getting fully hydrated will help. But drinking adequate amounts of water alone won’t get the fluid back into the tissue.

However,  by combining a massage technique known as manual therapy,  whilst also increasing your water intake, you CAN rehydrate the connective tissue, and finally bring welcome relief from your back pain. Check out treatments for back pain at Perea Clinic.

We hope this information is useful for you. If you have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington. If you like this blog, please share!

We are always happy to help.

 

 

 

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