The lower part of your back does almost all the heavy lifting. At some point in your life, you’re probably going to feel some lower back pain, even if you can’t pinpoint an injury. Knowing how to adapt your lifestyle to reduce your pain can keep you functional.
At The Spine Center of Louisiana, our team of skilled spine, bone, and joint experts, led by Dr. Kevin McCarthy, specializes in diagnosing the cause of back pain and recommending appropriate treatment. This often involves a combination of lifestyle changes and physical therapy at our practice locations in Baton Rouge, Walker, or Prairieville, Louisiana. We may recommend specialized surgery if it’s needed to repair damage done to your spine and discs.
Causes of lower back pain
Low back pain can have many causes, but for a lot of people it’s simple aging and wear and tear. You can end up with lower back pain due to:
- Arthritis of the spine
- Herniated discs
- A back injury from repetitive use
Your back pain can be exacerbated by your lifestyle. Three things that can make back pain much worse include smoking, having bad posture, and being overweight or obese.
Lifestyle changes to relieve back pain
In order to naturally reduce your back pain, you should look at areas of your life that are less than optimal for spine health.
How you sit
If you work at a desk all day, your posture is the most important thing you can pay attention to. Put your monitor level with your line of sight when looking straight ahead, position your keyboard so your arm forms a right angle at the elbow, and get an ergonomic chair to help you sit straight with both feet on the floor.
How you sleep
A bad mattress can allow your hips to sink too far or not far enough, causing your spine to get stuck in a bad position. Try a new mattress and using a body pillow between your knees for better spine posture at night.
What you eat
Anti-inflammatory foods can help reduce swelling around the bones and discs in your spine, reducing pressure and pain. Fresh fruits and veggies, healthy fats, and lean proteins can help you maintain a good weight and ease back pain.
At The Spine Center of Louisiana, we know how frustrating it can be to suffer with chronic lower back pain. Our team works with you to identify the true source of your pain and comes up with a treatment plan that is targeted to getting you pain-free and fully mobile once again.
If you need a consultation, contact us at 833-774-6327 or book your appointment using our online scheduling tool.