How to Alleviate Back and Neck Pain

It is estimated that 38 - 50 percent of adults suffer from neck or back pain. This can range from sudden shooting discomfort or to an all day and all night chronic condition. Either way, if you suffer from it you want it to stop.

This list of causes is almost endless. It could be an old whiplash injury to simply picking up a piece of paper the wrong way that makes your brain scream "OW!" It can be emotional or physical stress. You could be hunched over your computer all day shopping on EBAY or simply typing during the course of your day at work. Your sixteen year old kid could have pressed all your buttons with an adolescent fit and went racing off in a car.

The first thing you should do is try to figure out what is causing your back or neck pain. Is it your posture? Maybe your bed is too soft? What kind of tension, physical or emotional or both is currently happening? Try to figure out the source of the problem and work from there. It could be something as simple as a replacing an old mattress or wearing more sensible shoes. Sometimes emotional stress can turn into real and actual pain. Perhaps this could be helped by the act of removing the car keys from the sixteen year old.

It is always a good idea to have yourself checked out medically to assure yourself it isn't something systematic that requires a comprehensive overview. The medical community will probably go on the side of prevention and recommend different tests. They may advise physical therapy. If it is an emotional issue you may find it helpful to get a good counselor. It's up to you to decide if you really need them.

You don't necessarily need or warrant surgery. There are many other avenues to pursue as an alternate relief. You don't have to take an endless supply of pain relievers. First of all you should reinforce the idea that you are in charge of your own well being. Take it from there and access your own individual situation.

Ice is helpful with pain reduction. Ice works better than heat, remember heat expands and ice decreases swelling. That really hot shower may relieve you but definitely won't be as good as ice. Try twenty minutes per hour.

You can also enlist the help of a good massage therapist. If the pain is in your neck you can have them teach you self techniques. In the event you still are suffering at least you have enjoyed a great, if perhaps, self indulgent massage.

There are a number of exercises involving stretching that can help. One very helpful site is http://www.drbookspan.com/NeckPainArticle. Overall, this is a very comprehensive site which has instructions as well as visual aids.

You can also visit a good chiropractor or even an acupuncturist. Never have anyone who is not certified try to realign your neck or back bones, ever. This is a very specific science and it could potentially kill you or do permanent damage. This is the spine which leads right up to your brain after all.

You may find that some of these techniques work well for you. You could also find that a combination of techniques work even better. Every pain has a source and once the source is identified you can then try to address it with a specific game plan.