A lot of people suffer from back pain. However, what they do not realize is that most of it is self-inflicted. There are more common causes for back pain than most are aware. Below are some causes for back pain and what you can do to relieve it.

Remain as active as possible during a bout of back pain, as it has been shown that activity is more helpful to recovery than lying in bed. Try to carry out normal activities, within reason, as studies have shown that this leads to a more rapid recovery than bed rest or back-specific exercise.

Use over the counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, to help relieve back pain. Taking oral pain medications can allow you to function somewhat normally when you are suffering from a bout of back pain. Be sure to follow the instructions on the package for best results.

To determine the severity of your back injury and avoid exacerbating that injury, it is best to rest for a day or two after the pain starts. If the pain disappears, you probably suffered from a minor injury. On the other hand, if the pain remains the same or increases, you will need to contact a doctor or chiropractor to determine the cause. Prolonged periods of rest exceeding two days may actually make the problem worse due to muscle deterioration.

Apply an ice pack to the painful area. Despite its simplicity, an ice pack is one of the most effective methods for reducing back pain. Applying ice or a cold pack to the painful area reduces swelling and blood flow, which also reduces the pain. It can also help relieve stiffness.

It is important to know and understand whether your back pain is chronic or acute. Chronic back pain lasts for more than three months and is a continuous back pain usually from the result of an injury or illness. Acute back pain can also come from an injury and for other reasons and usually comes on fast and lasts for only a short period of time.

If you suffer from back pain and you smoke, you need to quit as soon as possible. One of the nasty side effects of smoking is the intake of nicotine. Nicotine reduces blood flow throughout your body, including to your spine, and that increases your risk of back pain.

Many people confuse resting and relaxation with each other. Resting is necessary to help prevent back pain, but too much rest can actually hinder it. Once you rest, you must begin to relax or else you are not fully benefiting from your time of rest. Relaxing is realizing your position and allowing your body to surrender to relaxation.

In order to reduce back pain, learn how to relax. This is much different from resting. Resting is simply taking pressure away physically, relaxing is relieving the tension and stress mentally. Try closing your eyes and thinking of happy and non-stressful things to help relieve the overall tension in your body.

Just like with any other type of illness, regular checkups with your doctor can go a long way in preventing back pain and various back problems. Your doctor is trained to keep an eye out for such complications and symptoms, and he or she can do a lot of things for you.

Sitting down for prolonged periods can be a bad idea for back pain sufferers. Even if you have to sit down all day at work, try to get up and walk around every half hour or so. It doesn't have to be a long walk, but getting up and moving around a bit will do well for your back.

Undoubtedly, one of the best possible methods to relieve back pain is to exercise regularly. You do not have to become a cardio enthusiast or a quasi weight-lifter, but exercising every day will work wonders in relieving back pain associated with cramping muscles. The physical activity can really help to get rid of the pain.

If you have chronic back pain and cannot figure out how to get rid of it, perhaps a new chair is in order, like a recliner or something softer than what you're sitting on now. A lot of people think that firm support is a must, but that's more to prevent pain. If you need to relieve it, go with something soft.

Alternate cold and hot for back pain relief. Inflammation and general pain can be diminished with ice. Heat therapy can be used to increase circulation and relax muscles. Some of the various methods you can try include a heating pad, warm bath or an electric blanket; be cautious and do not fall asleep when trying any of these.

If you're one of the many millions of people suffering from back pain, a great and quick remedy you can try is to do squats. Stand straight up with your feet about shoulder's width apart, and then squat straight down. This will stretch your muscles out and should help to relieve any pain you're feeling.

Give your back support. An articulating arm is a certain type of equipment that reduces the back strain you may feel in an office situation. This machine can hold your computer monitor and it can even swing it out of your way.

Make sure you are stretching on a consistent basis if you are looking to reduce back pain! Every half an hour of office work, take a few minutes to stretch. Make sure you stretch not only your back muscles, but also your arms and shoulders! You'll find, if you make this a consistent habit, that your back pain is greatly relieved!

As we have discovered, back pain is a huge nuisance to most people. They mostly think that back pain is caused by strains or hereditary instances. To the contrary, back pain is usually caused by every day motions and routines. If you suffer back pain, just remember to look at this article and discover what the reason may be for your suffering and what you can do to help it.