Are you someone who has tried everything and still can’t find relief from lower back pain? Here are are few reasons your back pain may not be improving…

Not getting a good imagesnight’s sleep

Research indicates that quality of sleep plays a crucial role in improving outcomes in chronic pain patients. According to a few significant studies, a staggering number of chronic pain physical therapy patients (40-50%) feel better with just one single intervention: improving sleep hygiene.

So, what can you do about it?  First of all, if you are sleeping on a soft and/or poor quality mattress it can be causing you to feel worse due to lack of support for your back and neck.  Try to imagine you are Goldilocks when picking your mattress- you want to find the mattress that is just right- medium firm.  Also, be generous with your money when buying a new mattress. After all, we use it for at least 8 hours every day so it should be a very important purchase.

If you are a stomach sleeper you may want to reconsider.  Sleeping on your stomach can hurt your back because this position can cause shearing of your spine, especially if you have tight hip flexors. Slide a thin pillow under your hips to alleviate pressure on your lumbar disks, ligaments and muscles.

To further improve the quality of your sleep, establish a regular routine, clear your mind before going to bed, and improve your sleeping environment by keeping your bedroom neat and organized.

Not being able to resist nicotine

Research indicates that there is a strong correlation between chronic back pain and smoking. The reason is simple: nicotine constricts blood vessels which causes poor blood flow and increases inflammatory response/acidity of tissues. All of these are impairing tissue healing (if an injury is present), and trigger early degeneration of joints and cartilages (even in absence of the injury). As a result, back pain is more common in smokers and poor treatment outcomes are more frequent in smokers than non-smokers.

Thus, consider quitting your smoking habit to improve your chance of healing in your back pain.

Addiction to electronic gadgets

An average person spends about nine hours every day using electronic devices to work, communicate or socialize. A Temple University study suggests that texting is responsible for increased neck, shoulder and back pain.

We have all heard that sitting all day long is not good for you. However, sitting all day long with poor posture is even worse.   Prolonged sitting alone will cause muscle weakness and tightness, and sitting with poor posture will also cause discs protrusion, joint dysfunction and mechanical pain.

To prevent injury:

• Adjust seat and table to place your hips and knees in 90-90 position
• Position computer screen at eye level and give yourself a gentle lumbar support
• Take breaks every 15 min or 4 times per hour to stretch your neck, chest and hips
• Perform cardio exercises at least 3 times per week
• Stretch every day and strengthen your core and buttocks every second day

Stress

It is not uncommon for people struggling with chronic pain to develop depression. But now researchers are discovering that the reverse may be true as well. In research from Alberta in Canada, people with major depression are four times more as likely to develop disabling low-back pain and neck pain. Some scientists believe that poor coping skills related to depression, such us withdrawing or avoiding problems, may trigger the release of stress hormone cortisol, causing increased inflammation and tension. The result is a devastating cycle of back pain and depression. Antidepressants, as well as mood enhancers like exercise, meditation, yoga, and deep breathing, can help ease stress and improve your overall wellbeing as well as make your back feel better.

Not getting a compete package

Finally, if you are receiving the treatment for back pain and symptoms are not getting any better, you have to consider the possibility that you are not getting a complete package. Back pain treatment is very complex and has to include comprehensive evaluation to determine root causes and related impairments, as well to assess posture, identify aggravating factors and work related and life habits.

The right treatment is targeting root-causing issues, and not just symptoms, but giving fast and long lasting results. The best plan of care for low back pain is the one addressing all issues( pain, joint dysfunction tightness, stiffness, and weakness) and in the right order. Absence of comprehensive treatment very often leads to poor results. Treatment such as massage therapy without core strengthening, stretching without strengthening, strengthening without correcting alignment, simply does not work. Do not trust your back to just anyone. Look for a hands on provider with excellent diagnostic skills, knowledge, experience and a compassionate heart.

We are proud to offer treatment for back pain at Lilly Physical Therapy and offer special packages to make the fast and effective treatments affordable.  Give us a call today if you are suffering from back pain.  We would love to help!

(425) 224-2476