When you suffer from something as detrimental as back pain, you are continuously on the search for the best back pain relief product. Whether this is a back massager or a special pain relief cream – you may be willing to try just anything to make the pain go away.
But how do you find the best back relief pain product amongst the long list of options available in the market? We’re here to help you in that domain. Here is our list of the top back pain relief products that have proven beneficial for a range of people and are even recommended by doctors if you suffer from acute back pain.
1. Back Support Cushions
Does your job require you to sit at on an office chair or a car seat for extended periods of time? That may just be why your back pain never goes away. To relax yourself as you continue working with a busy routine, invest in a back support cushion. These cushions or pads are meant to fit the size of your back perfectly and can be placed on any type of chair that you constantly sit in.
Back support cushions relieve back pain by reducing the pressure placed on your spine when you sit in an uncomfortable position for long hours and can even help you correct your posture. If you cannot find a suitable back support cushion for yourself, a DIY alternative can be placing a rolled-up towel between your back and the chair.
2. Ice and Heat Pads
While these two options together may seem contradictory, research has shown that both ice packs and heating pads are highly effective in treating back pain. The key to using ice and heat packs is to know which option is most appropriate for your current situation. Ice packs are more effective if you are experiencing swelling in your back as they tend to work especially well if the back pain has just started.
In case you have been suffering from constant back pain for more than 3-4 days, it is time to switch to a heating pad that can help you relax the muscles in your back. Both ice and heat pads are commonly available at any pharmaceutical store or even supermarkets.
3. Back Braces
While this type of back support is not suitable for all kinds of back pain, it is definitely worth trying to help ease your pain. If your back pain is caused due to poor posture, slouching, picking heavy objects, or weakened muscles – a back brace that fits like a glove tends to help in alleviating your back pain. Some doctors recommend having special spine-straightening back braces made that can help you straighten your back, especially if you constantly engage in heavy sports or are of old age.
4. Nonprescription Medication
There are many drugstore medicines that can help relieve your back pain. In case you suffer from swelling and inflammation, try taking ibuprofen for a few days. Another option is to take topical pain relievers or back creams that contain salicylates that help improve blood circulation in your muscles.
There are also certain over-the-counter medications that serve as an alternative to ice and heat packs as they induce sensations of warmth or cold when applied directly on to the surface of the skin. If you take any other medicines regularly, it is important to consult your doctor even before taking nonprescription medicines to ensure that there are no drug interactions.
5. Suitable Shoes
While you may be quick to blame all of your back pain on your poor little spine, there is also some blame to be given to your feet. If you continuously wear uncomfortable shoes such as heels or boots, it may permanently change the way you walk. This poor posture leads to the weakening of muscles in your spine – thus resulting in the acute back pain that we all hate.
The key to fixing this problem is to buy suitable shoes for yourself that compliment your posture and help you walk better. Some companies now manufacture medicated shoes that are designed especially for your body, depending upon your spine and posture. You can also simply choose to wear flats, only one-inch-high heels, or sports footwear if you tend to engage in lots of physical activity.
6. Carts
If chores around the house or on your job require you to transport heavy boxes around, it is time to purchase a cart for yourself. All the strain caused by lifting objects can often cause swelling in your muscles that lead to acute back pain.
If you cannot find a cart or dolly for yourself, you can always refrain from lifting heavy boxes and ask for assistance from the people around you. If you must lift heavy objects, remember to warm up your muscles with some basic stretching exercises to prevent any excessive strain on your body.
7. Exercise Equipment
You may have not expected to see a yoga mat or a swimsuit on this list, but we assure you that they are some of the best back pain relief products that you can buy. Exercising regularly can help you straighten your back by fixing your posture and keeps your muscles in good health.
Exercises such as swimming or cardio can even strengthen the muscles in your back that can help relieve any back pain that you may be experiencing and even contribute towards avoiding such pain in the future. You can either buy exercise equipment for yourself or choose to join a training program for swimming or aerobics – both of which help you maintain a balanced weight and a healthy lifestyle.
8. Comfortable Pillows
Have you been struggling to fall asleep or remain asleep for long periods of time? There may be a problem with your sleeping position that depends heavily upon the pillow that is under your neck. Choosing the right pillow for yourself is necessary since you need to allow your body to rest in a comfortable position.
A special type of pillow known as memory foam remembers the structure of your head and neck, helping you sleep in the right position every night. Comfortable pillows will help your body repair and regenerate cells whilst you are asleep, thus relieving back pain and preventing it in the future.
9. Portable TENS Unit
A TENS unit refers to a form of therapy known as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. A portable version is now readily available at pharmaceutical stores and can be easily purchased. The unit contains multiple sticky pads that are meant to be placed on your back or the point of pain on your body. The machine stimulates your muscles by sending acute electrical impulses that interact with the nerve endings in your body – thus reducing the sensations of pain by interacting with the brain. While TENS therapy was confined to doctors in the past, more consumer-friendly and portable versions of the machine have now become available for use.
The Types of Back Pain
Before you go ahead and purchase any of these back pain relief products, it is important to understand the type of back pain that you are experiencing. Typically, there are two types of back pain: Acute and Chronic.
Acute back pain tends to last for a relatively shorter period of time. The most common cause of acute back pain is inflammation or swelling in the muscles that support your spine due to an accident, poor posture, lifting heavy objects, or intense exercise. Acute back pain is generally mild in nature and can be treated at home without the intervention of a doctor or a specialist.
Chronic back pain is different. This is the type of back pain that lasts longer than three months and is far more intense in nature. There are different causes of chronic back pain, but one example can be displacement of one of the discs in your spine. Since the nature of this back pain is serious, it is recommended to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Preventing Back Pain
Once you have treated your back pain, it is important to prevent it from ever happening again. Before you begin with the prevention measures, you should take some time into understanding the cause of your back pain in the first place.
Is it due to constantly slouching over to look at your laptop monitor or are you wearing uncomfortable shoes? Whatever the reason for your back pain, it is recommended that you spend time in making some lifestyle changes that help you prevent such instances.
Some other prevention methods for back pain include:
- Exercising and stretching on a regular basis
- Correcting your posture by sitting up straight or switching to an ergonomic workstation
- Avoid lifting heavy objects or using your leg muscles to lift by bending your knees and keeping your back in an upward position
- Making lifestyle changes such as switching to healthier dietary habits that keep your weight in check
The Final Word
Back pain can be very painful to encounter and it is important to treat it as soon as possible. By making use of one of the many back pain relief products highlighted in this article, you can easily alleviate your pain and start feeling better today.
