Coping Tips for Acute Back Pain
- Heat helps relieve symptoms.
- Try to avoid aggravating activities for a week at least.
- Lie down or walk around.
- Don’t sit up straight out of bed. Roll over and push up sideways with your hands. One side might be easier than the other.
- Avoid sitting when you can early on in your recovery.
- Avoid twisting if you are getting out of your car or a chair. Turn your whole body and put your feet down before trying to get up.
- Bend over using the legs to do the work.
- Be careful of your back a month after serious injury as you could reinjure yourself.
- Pain killers sometimes mask aggravating actions. Make sure you don’t use painkillers to complete painful tasks that may hurt you further.
- Muscle relaxants can help with pain from spasm.
- A cushion between the knees when side lying or under the knees when lying on your back can help you get more comfortable.
