Learn More about Getting Treatment for Back Pain Nearby in Paramus

My Back Hurts. What Should I Do?

In some cases, back pain can become worse day by day, especially if you’re not getting rest, changing your lifestyle, or getting appropriate treatment from a certified back doctor. There are a few self-help treatments that you can try to ease your back pain and speed up your healing process. Keep in mind that these home remedies only work if your pain is not caused by a severe condition. If your back pain is caused by improper posture, an inactive lifestyle, lifting heavy objects, sprains, strains, and other similar incidents you should try doing the following things:

• Stay active without doing an excessive amount of effort – strive to keep up with your everyday tasks. Light exercise improves and enhances the stability of the spine as well as the activation of natural painkillers called endorphins.
• Apply heat or ice – this can relax tight muscles and relieve discomfort.
• Pay attention to your sleeping position and invest in a high-quality mattress and ergonomic pillows – changing your sleeping position can take some of the pressure off your back.
• Avoid lifting heavy objects and get some rest – this way you will alleviate muscle tension and you will heal quicker.

When Should I Be Concerned About My Back Pain?

Many forms of back pain heal on their own or with minimally-invasive treatments. So, you might not need intensive treatment, but you should see a doctor as soon as possible if the pain is the product of a wound or if the pain is followed by either of the following symptoms:

• High fever
• Inexplicable and involuntary weight loss
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Constant pain that won’t go away
• Pain that gets worse at night
• Genitals or buttocks numbness
• Legs or arms numbness

What Is The Long-Term Outlook for Back Pain?

For most people who suffer from back pain, the outlook is good, and they’ll recover in a matter of weeks. However, it depends on the source of the back pain and how it is handled. Back pain that’s triggered by sprains or strains is usually healed with home remedies, rest, and physical therapy, but slipped discs that irritate the sciatic nerve are best handled with minimally invasive treatments that are offered at our Paramus, NJ pain clinic.

It is best to seek early care for back pain so that you can handle it correctly, especially if your pain is persistent or reappears after doing certain activities. For example, if you visit a back pain doctor early on, you will speed up the healing process and avoid a recurrence of the issue or having to undergo surgery or to take opioids.

Is There a Way To Prevent Back Pain?

If your back pain is the result of a car crash, a slip, or the natural aging process, there isn’t anything you can do to avoid it. However, when it happens because of poor posture, unhealthy food habits, or other daily behaviors, you should make some adjustments to prevent back pain-triggering afflictions. Below you have a few easy but effective ways to avoid back pain and neck pain.

• Do your daily workout – the most important thing to consider when trying to avoid back pain is exercise and improving your physical shape. If you work out a little bit every day, you won’t have to think about weight gain and about putting too much pressure on your spine. When you are overweight, the odds of experiencing back pain are better and there is a lot of tension on your spine. In addition to that, strengthening your core, stretching, and yoga, are all great ways to become more flexible and less likely to suffer due to strains or sprains.
• Have healthy meals – a healthy diet that consists of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, and low-fat products can prevent you from gaining weight and will contribute to your general health. Studies have found that many people who have back problems are often diagnosed with irritated bowels, a condition that usually occurs due to a poor diet.
• Pay close attention to your posture – this is an aspect that you might overlook, especially if you sit at your desk, in front of the computer for long periods. This type of work is impossible to avoid in this day and age, but it’s important to remember to stand up. Spending many hours in the same spot without stretching or getting out of the chair will surely lead to back pain. The best approach is to pay more attention to your posture and take hourly breaks during which you can take short walks, do some situps and some stretches, or other similar activities.

If you want to avoid back surgery, book an appointment at one of our New Jersey pain centers today. Our Harvard-trained back doctors in Paramus, Clifton, and West Orange are here to help you get rid of your acute or chronic back pain once and for all. Come and meet our lovely staff and our team of Harvard-trained back doctors at our Paramus on Route 17 pain clinic, near the Paramus Park Mall.