Tuesday, May 03, 2011

What Should I Do About My Back Pain?

Back pain is maybe the most common problem that keeps people out of work in the US; whether it’s caused by an injury, an accident, or a consequence of age, it can shut you down in an instant. Now, having said that, it’s certainly true that not all back pain is created equal. A muscle strain is a completely different animal than, say, a herniated disc. That’s what makes knowing what to do (and what not to do, for that matter) about certain kinds of back pain a bit confusing. Not to worry - I’m here to help! In general, the to-do’s (and to-don’t’s... ?) are pretty straight-forward, but for the sake of making sure, it never hurts to put it down in writing.

1. Rest!
It’s sad, but so many people aggravate their condition by continuing the strenuous activity that caused the back pain in the first place! Give yourself some time to recover and you’ll be thankful for it.

2. Eat well!
Nutrition can play a big role in healing and overall health. Try and eat balanced meals, and do like your parents told you and eat your fruits and veggies, kids.

3. Drink up!
And we’re not talking soda or beer, folks. Make sure you get your eight glasses of water every single day! Water is about as vital as it gets for maintenance and good health. keep your whistle wet, and you’ll be thankful for it.

4. See a doctor!
Is the pain persisting after a week or more of the above? A doctor should probably be consulted. As frustrating as it is, there are some things that you simply can’t fix on your own. Talk to an expert and find out what’s going on. Knowledge really is power (hokey but true!).

These are just the simple rules. A doctor will likely have more like specific activities to avoid and specific foods to eat more/less of. If you need advice, call my office, Living Well Medical, in NYC at 212-645-8151. We’re here to help!

- Dr. Shoshany, NYC Chiropractor

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Dr. Steven ShoshanyAbout Me
Chiropractor NYC. Please add my to your circles.