Lower Back Pain Relief
What causes lower back injuries

Lower back injuries may come about as a result of muscle strain or spasm, ligament sprains, joint problems or a slipped disk. Usually, lower back injury is a result of injuring back muscles in activities you're not used to, like lifting heavy furniture or doing yard work.
A slipped disk, or herniated disk, which is often caused by twisting while lifting, happens when a disk between the bones of the spine bulges and presses on nerves. However, many people won't know what caused their slipped disk. Slipped disks and other back pain can be relieved by following a few simple methods in most cases.

Relief for your lower back

When your back hurts, the best position for relief is to lie on your back on the floor with pillows under your knees, hips and knees bent and your feet on a chair. Or you can try sitting just with your hips and knees bent. This takes the pressure and weight off your back.
For a hurt back, you may need 1 to 2 days of this sort of rest. Resting longer than this can cause your muscles to weaken, which can slow your recovery. Avoid this by walking around for a few minutes every hour, even if it hurts.

Other relief tips

By using heating pads twenty to thirty minutes at a time, you may help relax painful muscle spasms. Nonprescription over-the-counter medicines that reduce pain or swelling include aspirin, acetaminophen, naproxen, ketoprofen, and ibuprofen.

Cause for concern:
• You should contact the doctor if you experience pain going down your leg below your knee, your leg, foot, groin or rectal area feels numb, experience fever, nausea or vomiting, stomachache, weakness or sweating, lose control over going to the bathroom, or become immobilized by severe pain.

Relief for chronic lower back pain

Ongoing back problem treatments must be directed at the cause, which might mean losing weight (because being overweight can make back pain worse), getting your muscles in better shape, and improving your posture when you're sitting, standing and sleeping.

Tips for preventing back strain

First, don't lift by bending over. Lift an object by bending your knees and squatting to pick up the object. Avoid twisting your body while lifting, and keep your back straight and hold the object close to your body. Remember to push rather than pull when you must move heavy objects. Avoid sitting at a desk for long hours. However, if you must sit at your desk or at the wheel of a car or truck for long hours, break up the time with stops to stretch. Finally, wear flat shoes or shoes with low heels (1 inch or lower).