Most back pain / injuries are not due to serious injury or disease, rather a result of poor body mechanics and posture. These injuries can be treated and you shouldn’t panic. Controlling anxiety and fear of re-injury or causing further damage is very important in regaining normal function and healing.
The basis for these psychological reactions to back pain lies in the nervous system, which responds to pain by instructing the muscles near the affected part to protect against further injury. Only appropriate functional re-training can overcome this neurological barrier to normal function and therefore should be encouraged.
When you are experiencing back pain, your first instinct may be to crawl back into bed, but actually research has confirmed that staying active is usually best to keep your back healthy. Bed Rest has been shown to be ineffective for back pain and can actually delay recovery. So the sooner you get going, the better.
On the flip side, for most people, they recognise that while back pain is a setback, it will be a temporary one. However, refusing to acknowledge that you have to slow down, could result in your back pain becoming chronic and/or more severe. So take your pain as a sign that you need to change your speed and intensity for a bit. It doesn’t mean you can’t be active, but you may need to adjust your activities a bit.
Accepting the pain may be the best way to mentally cope. Accept it, realise things need to change, make a plan, start making daily consistent effort. Pain is only temporary, it won’t last for every, use it to make you a better, healthier version of yourself.
And of course a regular trip to your Liverpool Chiropractor and Sport Injury Clinic can help return you to peak performance. Please contact us to make an appointment.
