Tips for treating back pain

We have devised some tips for treating back pain:

• Painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen (NSAIDs) can help and you should use them if you need to. Don’t wait until your pain is severe before taking painkillers. It is important that you rely on the advice of a doctor or a health professional for treatment of your particular case.
• Limit bed rest. Bed rest for more than a couple of days doesn’t help back pain. Gradually increase your normal activities and do regular exercise.
• Exercise is the most important way that you can help yourself if you have back pain. Exercises that may help include: swimming (especially backstroke), walking, yoga, Pilates, gym. Try our exercises for back pain.
• Maintain good posture when sitting at work, at home or in the car.
• Sleep the Right Way. Choose a mattress suited to your height, weight, age and sleeping position.
• Avoid heavy lifting. Lifting correctly is important to help prevent further episodes of back pain.
• If you’re overweight you should consider doing some regular exercise and changing your diet to help you lose weight as this will reduce the strain on your back.
• Physiotherapy can help you to manage pain and improve your strength and flexibility.
• Pain management programs may help you control your pain and teach you how to live with chronic pain.

If the pain is severe or not improving after a week or so, contact your doctor.

We also recommend a variety of exercises that can help to manage back pain.