There are many causes of lower back pain. According to Spine-Health, muscle strains and ligament sprains can occur when you are lifting something heavy. Some people hurt the muscles in their lower backs by twisting their bodies while lifting an object. Other contributors and risk factors include having poor posture or making a sudden movement. It is also possible to have symptoms from trauma and health conditions like osteoarthritis.
No matter why your pain began, your weight and diet can make your symptoms worse. Read the information below to learn about how certain lifestyle choices impact your lower back. The knowledge you gain will help you make choices that can improve your mobility and decrease your discomfort. They will also help to enhance your overall wellness.
How Weight Affects Back Pain
If you are overweight, says Verywell Health, you may be adding to your symptoms of back pain. Being heavier than is recommended for your height can cause your muscles to work harder than they should. Extra weight on the body can put more of a load on the spine. Your spinal vertebrae can even move out of alignment, which can lead to muscle and ligament strain.
The good news is that doctors usually see symptom improvement in their patients when they lose pounds and return to a healthy weight. A regular exercise plan can help you to increase your muscle strength and shed weight quickly. Talk to your primary care physician, specialist, or physical therapist about the activities that may be right for you.
Low impact exercises such as yoga, swimming, or walking outdoors can be a great way to start working out. Since they are gentle on the spine, they can also help you to stay active without feeling additional pain or tension.
How Diet Impacts Back Discomfort
While it makes sense that added weight can affect your spine, many people do not know how much diet impacts back discomfort. According to Spine Universe, research shows that eating foods that are high in sugar and processed fat can lead to inflammation in the body. Adding swelling to your current back condition can make your pain and tension worse. Inflammation can also lead to the breakdown of the discs and vertebrae in the spine, which causes pain and other spinal disorders.
Thankfully, says Everyday Health, you can reduce inflammation by improving your diet. A plant-based diet rich in colorful vegetables, fruits, and nuts can help to relieve and avoid swelling. Carrots, beets, and sweet potatoes are excellent everyday choices. Another idea is to try incorporating more berries, watermelon, and pomegranate into your meals and snacks.
Omega-3 fatty acids can also help to reduce back pain. To get your daily recommendation of this nutrient, consume cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna, and trout; walnuts; or seeds like flax and chia. The garden weed purslane also contains a good amount. Herbs and spices like ginger, rosemary, and cinnamon also have anti-inflammatory properties.
Relieving Your Back Pain at Home
In addition to creating an exercise plan and eating more healthfully, you can do other things at home to reduce your pain and tension. A technology called photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), also formerly often referred to as low-level light therapy (LLLT), is helping men and women of all ages relieve their back pain. Photobiomodulation therapy is the medical application of laser science in a growing variety of medical disciplines to stimulate cellular function, rejuvenate tissue, promote healing, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation.
For those who want to reap the benefits of PBMT at home, laser light therapy belts for back pain are a safe and convenient solution. Choose from three levels of coverage for your personal needs. By using the belt of your choice for only 30 minutes per day, you can help reduce discomfort, tension, and muscle spasms so you can enjoy a more active schedule and feel better along the way.
As a leader in the creation of medical devices for photobiomodulation, we are passionate about introducing new products to help people lead healthier lives. Thanks to developments in this technology and our durable and dependable PBMT devices, choosing between a healthy lifestyle and reducing back pain can be a thing of the past.
