The Side Effects of Untreated Back Pain

Your back handles a lot of heavy burdens. Your back helps you lift, carry, push, and pull things. Your back helps your arms and legs move. Your back helps to hold up your shoulders, neck, and head. When your back hurts, your entire body can hurt too.

Back pain can be caused by:

• Lifting and twisting
• Pushing and pulling
• A back injury
• Poor posture
• A sports injury
• A vehicular accident
• A chronic medical condition
• Standing for a long period of time
• Sitting for a long period of time
• Sleeping on a poorly supportive mattress

If you have back pain and it goes untreated, you may experience unpleasant side effects like these:

• Inactivity, which can lead to weight gain
• Loss of flexibility, which can lead to joint inflammation
• Pain in other areas of your body, from compensating for your painful back
• Feelings of depression and anxiety because you aren’t enjoying activities

There are a lot of steps you can take to help prevent back pain. Remember to:

• Sleep on a medium-firm mattress that supports your entire body
• Avoid carrying heavy objects, including purses and bags
• Wear comfortable, supportive shoes and avoid high heels
• Avoid remaining in one position for long periods and remember to take breaks
• Stand and sit up straight, without hunching your shoulders or slouching
• Perform regular exercises to strengthen your back and your abdominal muscles

If you have back pain, you can try a few simple tips at home to get relief. Remember to:

• Use heat and ice on your back
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and Tylenol
• Do gentle stretches
• Keep moving

For acute or chronic back pain that doesn’t go away or gets worse, your chiropractor can help. Treatments and services your chiropractor may recommend include:

• Spinal decompression
• Manual manipulation
• Posture exercises
• Massage therapy
• Thermal therapies

You don’t have to suffer from back pain. Your chiropractor can help you and your back feel better. For more information about chiropractic treatments for back pain and other chiropractic services, call your chiropractor today.

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