Back pain and neck pain are incredibly common. As Chiropractor I help people with spine pain every day and have a special interest in persistent pain problems. Here I explore 4 simple steps you can take to get yourself feeling better.
1. BE REASSURED
Spine pain is very rarely caused by something serious. Most often a combination of muscular tightness and joint stiffness, and sometimes nerve irritations are the cause of neck and back pain. Although unpleasant, you can take really simple steps to get yourself feeling better.
2. BECOME AWARE
Try asking yourself: When do I get pain? What makes it better? What makes it worse? By becoming a bit of a detective you may quickly notice a theme. Perhaps your back pain is worse after sitting too long, or your neck hurts when you sit in a particular chair with your head turned to watch TV? By becoming a little more aware of daily habits and how we feel, we can sometimes figure out factors that are contributing to our discomfort.
3. TAKE ACTION
There is a phrase “action conquers fear”. People in pain are often worried about what is going on, and they have become a bit stuck as to what to do next. Once you are reassured that your pain is most likely not serious in nature, and perhaps you have figured out what is provoking the pain, you need to take action. Often, where joints and muscles are concerned, this means movement. Try to change your position and posture often and take regular movement breaks.
4. DON’T DELAY
If your aches and pains are not improving within a week, its best to seek some professional advice. Chat to someone, like a chiropractor or an osteopath, who deals with back and neck pain to figure out the cause of your problems and get a plan of action in place.
I hope these action steps can help you on your path to recovery!
Chiropractor.
Nadine Harrison
Chiropractor
