Did you know that lower back pain probably affects around one-third of the UK adult population each year?
We’ve all likely experienced lower back pain at some point in our lives, whether from a sports injury, poor posture, or something else and for some, it can be a real struggle.
If you’re experiencing either short-term or long-term lower back pain and you’re not sure what to do, we’re about to dive into tried and tested ways to relieve it.
Check Your Posture
Although those experiencing lower back pain are most likely sick of hearing that your posture can massively affect lower back pain, both positively and negatively, this really is the case and a solution that’s certainly not to be overlooked!
We get it. Making sure you have good posture is probably the last thing on your mind when you’ve got a stressful work schedule, kids that (constantly!) want your attention, or just an overall busy life! But there are small but effective ways to ensure your posture is regularly at its best.
One of the most common causes of poor posture and resulting lower back pain is slouching when sitting. While this tends to be seen more in those with office jobs and other work that requires sitting down for extended periods, people tend to also slouch when relaxing on the sofa. This is because sofas are designed for comfort rather than good posture! Ways to improve your sitting posture include:
- Investing in a standing or sit-stand desk for working
- Setting regular reminders to check your posture
- Use back support to ensure you’re sitting upright and not slouching
- Invest in a high-quality office chair that supports your body
Get Moving
It can be tempting to simply lounge on the sofa and binge-watch your favourite TV show after a hard day’s work, but chances are this is making your lower back pain worse. While chilling out and resting certainly has its place (in fact, we encourage it!), it’s important to ensure this is combined with regular movement in your day.
Even something as simple as walking around for 60 seconds every hour can help prevent your muscles from stiffening up and therefore help ease lower back pain. Ideally though, some light exercise every day such as stretching or going for a walk has been seen to be much more effective at relieving lower back pain than bed rest.
Speak To A Professional
If it feels like you’ve tried every home remedy possible to relieve your back pain and you’re now at your wits’ end, it’s probably time to speak with an expert in the field.
A professional chiropractor will use a combination of chiropractic techniques, exercises and massage to help to ease stress and tension in your joints and muscles, therefore freeing up your movement and reducing pain.
If you’re looking to find out more about how a chiropractor can help with your lower back pain, contact us today to speak with our friendly team.
