Tips for Back Pain Relief

Tips for Back Pain Relief

I know a lot about back pain relief, having been a Massage Therapist for years.
It still amazes me that so many people don�t know what to do FIRST upon onset of injury. When you get hurt or feel pain, your body is telling you something.
If you don�t read anything else on my entire web site, please read this page.

First Things First!

THE FIRST thing to do is 'DON�T MOVE'. Don�t try to 'walk out' back pain. You�ll only make it worse!

The NEXT FIRST thing you need to do is ICE, ICE, ICE!

(yes, there are two first things but they are both really important so they gotta both be first:o)

Ice can be a tremendous remedy for back pain relief, if applied upon onset of injury.

This is the recommended application:

'Ice on' for 15 minutes, then 'ice off' for 15 minutes. Repeat this process for the first couple of hours, then follow through at regular intervals with 'ice on, ice off'.

If at all possible, lay down on your stomach flat on the floor. You can make a pillow bed on the floor to lay on, or a thick sleeping bag works well. Just something to cushion the floor a little bit helps a lot. When you have a back injury, it is one time that you'll really need to be a flat as you can be for as long as you can do it. Apply the ice pack/frozen peas or whatever you use to the top of your back. This position works BEST!~

If you can't apply the ice to your own back, try and find someone who can help you if possible! In the case that you don't have any help, you'll probably have to settle for laying on the bed. Healing won't be as fast that way, but it's better than doing nothing!

Many people tell me that heat works best for their back pain, so they just won�t listen when you suggest that ice works best.

Most people apply heat and its just not right.

You should only apply heat 72 hours AFTER onset of an injury. Moist heat works best the first three days.

Stop your moaning and groaning about how 'ice' just doesn't work for you...Wah, wah, wah! You don't like icing cause it's COLD!

No one really enjoys having to apply ICE. Get a Grip! Grow Up! Do what is BEST for you instead of what is most COMFORTABLE for you!If you apply heat to an injury you may think you're getting over the pain sooner, but you are also compromising the integrity of your skeletal structure. You might be degenerating or degrading tissue instead of healing it.

This of course, might make your back pain ACUTE instead of CHRONIC.

This means that it may not ever go away cause you never gave it a chance to heal!

Ice reduces swelling and promotes healing.

Heat inflames and aggravates injury.

So you decide. What are you really after? Instant gratification or healing? Your choice.

AFTER the first 72 hours of icing the injury, you can alternate ice with heat for back pain relief.

The best kind of heat is moist heat not dry heat.

Here�s a way to get moist heat that works great for back pain:

Wet a bath towel completely.

Squeeze out the excess water.

Put the towel in your microwave for approximately 4-5 minutes on high power. (Depends on the strength and size of the microwave)

Use tongs or a pot holder to remove the towel. It will be steaming HOT, so be CAREFUL! Wave the towel around until you can safely touch it without burning yourself.

When the towel is 'touchable', lay face down on the bed or couch and apply the warm/hot towel to your back. (Yes it�s a little tricky to do this by yourself, but it can be done! Believe me, I�ve had to do it!) Apply the towel to the area of your back pain. It's a wonderful, healthful way to get back pain relief!

This moist hot towel also works on other areas of the body too!

I use warm, moist towels on my shoulders and neck, when I get all knotted up from working on the computer. But this method can work on any body part where you've got pain!

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To go to the next Healthy Money Saving Tips page, here's the link: Back Stretch for Back Pain

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