5 Best Practices When It Comes to Chronic Spine Pain

Back pain is incredibly common, with almost 40% of adults in the United States experiencing it in a single year. For about 10% of people, the back pain doesn’t resolve within three months, meaning it’s considered chronic. 

For those people, learning to manage their pain, as well as get effective treatment, is crucial to their quality of life. At Atkins Chiropractic, our stellar team, led by Dr. Peter Atkins, has put together this list of useful tips for people who are dealing with chronic back pain. 

1. Choose your care team quickly

So many people ignore the early signs of pain, thinking that it’s just part of getting older or needing a new mattress. Getting assessed early can help.

Arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis are just three of many possible causes of chronic back pain. The sooner you know what you’re dealing with, the quicker we can find treatments that help. 

Also, some conditions are degenerative, meaning they get worse with time. We may be able to slow that process, preserving your function and mobility for a longer time. 

2. Get stronger

Treatment from a highly qualified and trained professional like Dr. Atkins is helpful, and so are exercises that target the small muscles that support your spine. When your core is strong, it helps relieve the pressure that your 33 vertebrae and 23 discs must carry. 

Check out these useful exercises that build support for your back.

3. Maybe it is your mattress

Although we said earlier that some people figure their pain is because they need a new mattress instead of other factors, your mattress could actually be a contributing factor. 

Adults need 7-9 hours of sleep each night, and that means a significant part of each day is spent in bed. Getting a mattress and pillow that allow your spine to remain neutral, that doesn’t sag, and that’s comfortable is essential for a healthy back. 

4. Stand up and move around

Modern day life is sedentary. Many of us sit at work, then go home and sit to relax. The human body, especially your spine, isn’t designed for quite so much sitting. 

Sitting, especially slouching, puts enormous pressure on your lower back and your neck, especially if you're leaning forward to look at a screen. Try setting a reminder to get up and move around and stretch at least once an hour. 

5. Manage your weight

If you’re overweight and you have back pain, the solution could be in losing the extra pounds. Obesity is associated with premature degeneration and painful long-term problems. Plus, maintaining a healthy weight is good for many other aspects of your overall health. 

These tips are general, but if you’d like personalized advice, tailored to your specific situation, call or use online booking to schedule an appointment at Atkins Chiropractic in University Place, Washington. We’re always happy to answer your questions!