Lower back pain is the most complained about back pain, making up 80% of adult people who experience it in their lifetime. A quarter of those adults report experiencing lower back pain in the last 3 months alone. It's the highest contributor to missed work days and the most common work related injury reported. This part of your body so heavily contributes to your success that it's essential to care for and prevent injury from occurrence. The good news is that the condition of lower back pain is most often temporary, easy to treat and preventable from happening again.
There are countless contributing factors to lower back pain including age, pregnancy, inflammation caused by disc degeneration, strain, injury, skeletal irregularities and more. It's important to visit your physician to plan your treatment by first deciding the location and cause of the pain. It's important because underlying causes could get worse, if serious. If, however, you are experiencing non-threatening, temporary lower back pain, you are in luck with many at-home easy and affordable treatment options available.
To further prevent injury to your spine, tissues and muscle that make up your back, it's important to rest after pro-longed use. The use of ice can reduce inflammation that causes pain, and wearing a brace or support can further enhance your at-home treatment by supporting the back during use, keeping it warm and circulating adequate blood flow, nutrients and oxygen for optimal healing. Before you scoff at wearing the eye sore you imagine a back brace could be, know that there are many styles, colors and materials to choose from that are easy to conceal beneath your clothing and are worth improving your quality of life and comfort during your days.
Back support designs vary so much that choosing one will greatly depend on it's user's preferences. In all cases the design should be adjustable, but fit close to your body and encourage your spine in the lumbar region to remain straight, making you more conscious of your form during movement. For example, keeping the trunk held tightly in a support encourages it's user to lift more with the legs the way we've always been taught. Supports are simple, yet very effective when combined with other treatments and rest. Begin taking care of your back today, even before an injury occurs, by employing a support product during times of strenuous activity. Knowing your body's strengths and weaknesses and working on them with strength exercises can also decrease your vulnerability to lower back pain significantly. Consult your doctor with any additional questions you may have about your use of a support product and the results you are seeking.