November 09, 2020
Whether or not you know the exact cause of your back pain, it’s common to feel like there’s no end in sight. Adapting our movements to avoid discomfort and relying on medication isn’t ideal. Taking proactive steps to address chronic back pain is crucial. Here are three reasons why you should act now to return to full mobility and a healthier life.
1. The Changes You Make Now Will Help You in the Future
The way you treat your spine now will shape how it treats you in the future. Poor posture, a common cause of back pain, can lead to further issues. Implementing better practices into your life sooner rather than later will safeguard you against future problems.
The following video shows some simple stretches that can really help, especially if you lead a sedentary lifestyle.
If going to the gym is your thing, make sure you know how to use the equipment properly. Avoid sit-ups and crunches, as they can potentially cause long-term damage to the spine.
2. Back Pain Can Have a Significant Impact on Your Mental Health
Unfortunately, the toll back pain takes on our lives can go beyond physical discomfort, and the emotional effects of back pain can be just as disruptive.
Solving chronic back pain with medication can also have a detrimental impact on your mental health. Medication does not address the cause of the pain; it only masks it. Additionally, certain prescription medications can result in other mental health issues including addiction, to the extent that GPs are now advised NOT to prescribe a range of specific medications such as opioids and even paracetamol for chronic pain.
3. Chronic Back Pain Could Be Impacting Your Overall Health in Other Ways
When we are in pain, it is easy to sink further into bad habits for comfort. Hunching over and tensing our bodies to mitigate discomfort is common, but this can significantly impact your overall health.
This can take a toll on our metabolism and exacerbate issues like constipation and IBS.
Similarly, any tension you are carrying due to pain can manifest as headaches, which will only make it more difficult for you to feel like yourself during flare-ups.
To solve chronic back pain, start by proactively keeping your back strong and healthy, ideally before any signs of a problem arise. However, it’s never too late to begin strengthening your back!