While I myself may not suffer from life-altering chronic back pain, I have many loved ones who do. In fact, my father suffered an injury many years ago which left him with prolapsed and bulging discs, all of which cause great discomfort. In the decades since his injury, he’s tried different therapies, some of which we talk about here.
When it comes to addressing chronic back pain, there are a variety of treatment options available. For some, one option may be enough. However, for most managing chronic back pain will take a combination of consistent treatments. It’s important to find what works for you as no two people experience the same type and severity of pain.
Here are some strategies that may help alleviate chronic back pain.
Stretches for chronic back pain.
Stretching is one of the best ways to help with chronic back and neck pain. Stretching helps to relax tight muscles, increase the range of motion, and improve circulation. When done regularly, it can also help reduce stress and tension in your back and neck muscles, which can lead to pain.
Here are a few stretches that may be beneficial for chronic back and neck pain.
- Neck releases.
Sit up straight on a chair or stool with your feet flat on the floor shoulder-width apart. Place your left hand behind your head with your elbow pointing outward towards the right side. Slowly rotate your head to the left, using your left hand as a guide. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat on the other side.
- Shoulder rolls.
Stand or sit up straight with your arms at your sides. Slowly roll your shoulders forward in a circular motion 10 times, then reverse and roll them backward ten times.
- Cobra stretch.
Lie on the floor face down with your legs extended behind you and your palms flat against the floor next to either side of your chest. Push off the ground with your arms while arching your back to open up your chest and shoulder area. Hold for 15 seconds before releasing and repeating 3-4 more times.
Acupuncture.
Another option for managing chronic back and neck pain is acupuncture. This traditional Chinese medicine practice involves inserting thin needles into the skin at specific points called “acupoints” that are believed to be connected to energy pathways in the body. Acupuncture helps to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and release endorphins that help with pain relief. It can also help relax tight muscles in the back and neck area that may be contributing to your discomfort.
Medication.
In some cases, medication may be necessary to help manage chronic back and neck pain. Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can provide short-term relief from mild aches and pains. Your doctor may also prescribe stronger medications if your pain is more severe. It’s important to take all medications as directed and never exceed the recommended dosage.
Physical Therapy.
Physical therapy can also be beneficial in helping to manage chronic back and neck pain. A physical therapist can work with you to create an individualized treatment plan that targets weak or tight muscles, corrects poor posture, and improves flexibility in the area of discomfort.
Physical therapists can also provide exercises for at-home use that may help reduce inflammation and increase blood flow to the affected areas. Working with a physical therapist can help you develop habits and techniques for managing chronic back and neck pain on your own over time.
Herbal remedies.
Herbal remedies, such as Delta 9 THC, turmeric and ginger, can also be helpful in managing chronic back and neck pain. Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin that helps reduce inflammation, while ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that may help relieve stiffness and soreness. Herbal supplements are generally well tolerated but can interact with certain medications, so check with your doctor before taking any herbal remedy.
Mind-body relaxation techniques.
Mind-body relaxation techniques such as meditation, breathing exercises, and guided visualizations can be effective in helping to manage chronic back and neck pain. These techniques help reduce stress and tension while calming the body and mind. Regularly practicing these techniques can help you stay in tune with your body, recognize when something is off balance, adjust accordingly to prevent further discomfort, and find peace within yourself despite any pain or discomfort.
Heat or cold therapy.
Applying either heat or cold therapy to an area affected by chronic neck and back pain can help reduce inflammation and increase blood flow which in turn can provide temporary relief from discomfort. You should discuss with your medical professional which type of therapy would be most beneficial for your particular situation.
Relaxation techniques.
Stress can worsen neck and back pain, so it’s important to learn relaxation techniques to help manage your symptoms. Deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and guided imagery are all effective methods for reducing stress levels and relieving pain.
Have you any other ideas to relieve chronic back pain?
If you follow a combination of these tips, you may be able to better manage your chronic back pain. Remember to speak to your doctor about which approach would be best for you. Better yet, if you get the opportunity, work with them to develop a comprehensive, long-term treatment plan.
My partner has been experiencing back pain lately because his job is quite physical, and his insurance finally approved for him to have 10 sessions with a physical therapist, so hopefully, it’ll help. The stretches sound helpful too, and his doctor did give him a printout of different stretches he can do too.
When the weather turns cold, I get neck and shoulder pain often. My friend advice me to get acupuncture so I think I will have one this month 😀 I also go for massages quite regularly. I’m glad I found this so I can pick one that will fit me 😀
These are all amazing tips! I find that stretching has been so helpful as well as practising yoga daily. Also, hot and cold therapy has been very helpful for me as well as using a roll with essential oils to help ease the pain x
I need to try all these tips seeing as how I always have back pain too. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you for sharing! This is really helpful.
Thanks for sharing this great information. I don’t get a lot of back pain, but I get neck and shoulder pain often It is good to have some strategies to deal with pain.
Thanks for sharing this great information. I’ve learned that some of the best pain relief methods are nonmedicinal.
Thanks so much for sharing these helpful 9 strategies to help with chronic back pain! I have often pains in the neck and shoulders, I am familiar with some of these strategies but some of them are new to me like the acupuncture.
My husband suffers from chronic back pain and these are all excellent suggestions! He has been able to find (temporary but wonderful) relief using a TENS unit!
I used heat therapy for my back pain and I also really want to try acupuncture.
I’ve never tried acupuncture, but I start every morning with stretching. I also do hydro massage when I have the time.
I don’t have this kind of pain but my friend did. The hot and cold did help with the pain. I will share the rest of the tips with my friend. Thank you for sharing!
Ah yes! Stretching has helped me lots over the last 5 years, with a nagging pain I used to have in my back. My physio at the time recommended that I do 2 stretches a day and the pain will be history!
Back pain can be so frustrating to deal with. It is good to have some strategies to deal with pain.
I think I’ve reached the age/stage of life where I will now wake up with a painful lower back so I must introduce some stretches and other movement to help me out. All these tips were really useful!
I’m no expert, but I do have experience with chronic back pain both from my father and my friend. They’ve struggled for years, and while a combination of these sometimes can help, most of the time they need to use morphine patches and even injections. But I think it’s all about stopping it before it reaches that point.
I swear by a hot water bottle. My shoulders are always in agony and that’s partially because of my love affair with my computer/gaming.
It’s horrible. While my back pain isn’t bad, when it flares it really, really makes life harder.
Such great tips. I suffer with sciatica since having my little one and get horrible lower back pain. Not nice at all.
I’ve have chronic lower back pain for around 6/7 years now and it’s SO annoying. Having a hot water bottle on it is really relieving (I actually have one right now). I also go for massages quite regularly and Yoga helps a lot as well.
I don’t get a lot of back pain, but I get neck and shoulder pain often. This will help trying to relieve that, too.
I woke up this morning and my back was so stiff and painful. Unfortunately Fibromyalgia causes me some back pain especially in a flare up, like I am in now. I have tried some of these. A bath is a good way to relax the muscles. I had one last night and this morning which helped take the edge of. I did take some painkillers and ibuprofen that helps to relax my muscles too. Thank you for the other suggestions.
Lauren.
I like doing back stretches and cobra stretches every time I have back pain. They help so far.
Yep, stretching is always a good thing! These are such good strategies for avoiding back pain 🙂
So good to know about the pain specially back pain. I never done Acupuncture but really want to try it.
I have a friend who has just had to leave her current job because her back was becoming so bad. The pain was unbearable and she was in agony every night when she went home. She’s been using a combination of all these tips but, ultimately, she’ll need a steroid injection and perhaps surgery due to the deterioration in her bones.While these tips can surely help, please be careful and seek medical advice if you feel the pain has become too much.
I’m so glad I found this. My back gives me fits, and I’ve been trying to find something to help. It’s really bad.