Few conditions are as physically debilitating as a backache. The pain can lance through your spine, leaving you all but frozen as you try to reach frantically for support. Once at rest, moving again can almost seem impossible; any slight motion causes shards of agony racing through your back. Unfortunately, millions of people cope with backaches. Sometimes, they dissipate on their own; other times, they seem to take up permanent residence.
The problem is that there are many misconceptions that people have about their back and the discomfort they feel. Making matters worse, mistaken notions spread quickly online, perpetuating the fallacies. Below, I'll describe - and clarify - 3 common myths about back pain.
Myth #1: Straight Posture Prevents The Problem
It's worth noting that maintaining a straight posture is preferable to being slumped over all day. But, your spinal column can still sustain stress when you're sitting straight as a ruler. If you do so for a prolonged period, your discs will probably start feeling strained. The best thing you can do is to maintain a relatively straight posture, but take breaks periodically to allow your spine and muscles to relax.
Myth #2: Injuries Cause Backaches
Yes and no; the key is to realize that the pain isn't always caused by injuries. Obviously, if you bend over and try to lift three times your body weight, you're going to strain something - usually in your lower back area. And if you're involved in a situation that jars your body, that can also result in ongoing discomfort across your spine. But, a large portion of backaches happen as a result of stress.
Think back to the last time you were engrossed in a project at work. Your shoulders were likely packed with the underlying muscles tense. When those muscles tighten and are held in that position for an extended period of time, the pressure can cause a backache. No injury required.
Myth #3: A Hard Mattress Reduces The Pain
Somehow, millions of people suffering from backaches have been led to believe that a ultra-hard mattress will solve the problem. In truth, research has suggested that a softer mattress is usually more effective. Experts believe that a softer mattress doesn't put as much pressure on the shoulders and muscles.
Getting Relief From The Agony
Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to manage the discomfort. When you experience a backache, take two or three Advil. That will help lessen the stiffness throughout the area in which you're feeling pain. Then, place an ice pack on the area to prevent it from becoming inflamed. After a couple of days, swap the ice pack for a heating pad. Finally, don't stay immobile for more than three or four days. The muscles need to move in order to regain flexibility. The next time you experience shards of pain ripping through your back, follow those three steps on the road to recovery.
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