Have you noticed that as you age, you start to experience back pains? Ranging from mild and moderate to intense pain, you may be wondering how you can manage back pain with age. The three most common causes of age-related back pain include spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and degenerative changes in joints and discs. Read on to find out some ways of managing this pain so you can get on with your daily life without issue!
Ice Up
You may already know that to treat muscle aches and pains, applying an ice pack can go a long way toward alleviating the pain. The same goes for back pains. It is especially helpful with muscle spasms and inflammation. Icing the affected area for 20 minutes, giving it a break for the same time, and applying the ice pack again is a good way to start.
Try Heat Therapy
On the other side of the spectrum, you have heat therapy. Whether you decide to use heating pads, take a warm bath or lie under a heat lamp, you can reap the benefits of heat therapy for your back pain as it can help to relax your muscles and stimulate blood flow. Keep in mind that you should avoid overusing heat therapy in order to avoid getting burned.
Get the Rest You Need
If your back muscles have been strained due to too much activity, it helps to rest and avoid overdoing things during this period. However, take note that bedrest beyond 48 hours can start to slow down the rate of recovery and even increase the intensity of your back pain – to this end, striking the perfect balance will go a long way.
Take Pain Medications
Do you suffer from inflammatory pain in your back? If so, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) can help you to better live with the pain. Instead of taking these medications as needed, you may want to try taking them consistently, such as twice a day for 10 days. This will help you to prevent overdosing and allow you to reap the full benefits of these medications.
Consider Physical Therapy
Whether your back pains are the result of a specific injury or the accumulation of a lifetime of activity, you may wish to consider going to a physical therapist. These professionals can recommend exercises that focus on your specific problems and allow you to strengthen your spine and core over time. At the end of the day, keeping active will ensure that you remain in tiptop physical shape for longer in your golden years!
Rittenhouse Village At Muhlenberg Offers Onsite Health & Wellness Programs for Residents
Whether assisted living or respite care would better suit your needs, you can receive the level of care you need at Rittenhouse Village At Muhlenberg. With onsite medical and therapy services, you will never have to travel far to get to your appointments again!
