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How to Deal With Pain in the Lumbar Spine
October 18, 2021
About 80% of the population experiences some form of back pain. That could be upper, middle, and, in many cases, lower. The vertebrae located in the lower part of our spine is called the lumbar.
These vertebrae are often thicker because they must support the rest of our spine, neck, and head. As a result, the lumbar region experiences aching, shooting pains, and general discomfort.
Add in an accident or injury, and a person is looking at a miserable situation. If you have lumbar spine pain, you may want to know how to relieve it and feel more comfortable. Keep reading this article for tips and tricks on alleviating lower back pain.
Always Exercise
Exercise plays a critical role in keeping your body healthy and in shape. But did you know it can also alleviate pain?
One of the best exercises for lower back pain is performing yoga poses. These positions will help you stretch out the area while increasing your back’s endurance and strength.
Add Lumbar Support
Sometimes, we do not always put our lower backs in the proper positions. That is especially true for people who sit at a desk all day for work.
Regular chairs do not provide the lumbar support necessary to ease the work your spine is doing. When we sit for long periods, our lower backs must work extra hard to support our body weight.
So, you may want to purchase a chair with built-in support. If you do not want to go that route, you can also look into lumbar support pillows that you can take anywhere.
Add Hot and Cold Compress
Lower back pain can be due to spasming of the muscles instead of the spine. When this is the case, it may help to apply physical therapy like hot and cold compresses.
When we add heat to the area, it allows our muscles to relax. When the compress turns cold it will constrict the blood flow, which helps with inflammation.
Take Medication
When all else fails, you can always stake medicine. For many people, medication like Ibuprofen (Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) will work.
However, if these do not work, that may mean your lower back pain is strong enough to break through the medicine’s effects.
In these cases, you will want to visit a doctor. Have them assess what is causing your pain. They will know what to prescribe to help you feel better.
Visit a Lumbar Spine Doctor
There are several ways to help alleviate lumbar spine pain. You can exercise, buy pillows for lumbar support, or take medicine when all else fails. If you try these tips and find they do not help your situation, it might be time to call a lower spine surgeon like us here at All Spine Care.
Dr. Moulten has been a practicing MD for 17 years. He has vast knowledge and experience with spine care.
So, please, contact us today or book an appointment. We are more than happy to answer your questions and set you on the road to living a pain-free life!