Preventing & Dealing with Recurring Back Pain

Prevention is better than cure - and this is no more true for anyone who has suffered the inconvenience and discomfort caused by spasms or pulled muscles in their back.

If you want to avoid further back pain, there are some simple steps that you can take to significantly reduce the likelihood of a recurrence.

1.   Take regular exercise - walking strengthens muscles that support your back, brisk walks are best, though take it easy to start with if you've had problems with your back in the past.

2.   Do muscle strengthening exercises, daily if possible, but at least weekly.  You'll be surprised how much fitter and stronger you'll start to feel.  You may even discover just how "disabled" you've been by your back as you begin to enjoy tasks around the home that you've not done for years.

3.   Avoid those things which have caused you problems in the past.  Obvious isn't it?  But how often do we think "just this once ..".  Asking for help to lift or move heavy objects seems embarrasing, until you find yourself in bed for a few days with a painful back.  If sitting at a computer screen for hours has caused you problems in the past, make sure you take regular breaks and that your back and desk are at the right height for comfort.

4.  At the first little twinge, stop!  Take time out, use an ice pack on the affected area or take a warm bath, if you have been prescribed muscle relaxants by the doctor for emergencies, take them.  Listening to those warning signs can be your best home treatment for a problem back.

Further Resources

Back Strengthening Exercises - can be effective in preventing further recurrences of back problems

Exercises for Sciatica - persistent Sciatica can be minimised and pain reduced through exercise