Start with the some basics when you are dealing with back pain. Just resting a few days can help. While you await your back pain to simmer down, take some anti-inflammatory medication, like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen for some pain relief. You can also relieve your back pain with the tried-and-true application of heat, cold, or an alternation between the two.

If you must carry something heavy, switch it from one side to the other or divide the weight evenly. Carrying all of the weight on one side will cause uneven stress, strain on muscles, and pain.

If you want to get up in the morning with a friendly back, keep in mind how important your mattress is. You probably spend as many as a third of your life hours asleep, and if you are doing so on a mattress that is unkind to your back, you are just inviting unwanted pain into your day. Purchase a medium-firm mattress and use proper pillows to support the neck.

If you have bad back pain, try eliminating or at least reducing the caffeine in your diet. Even though it may be hard to believe, caffeine can assist in triggering muscle spasms. Caffeine can also produce inflammation in damaged muscles. Drinking less coffee or tea is a good idea for helping back pain.

Back surgery may be given as an option by your doctor if your back pain is severe. Surgery can be an effective last resort if no other treatment works for your pain. For certain types of back pain and injuries, surgery is the most effective method.

Give up the smokes. Back pain is more prevalent in smokers by up to 30% according to recent studies. Tobacco decreases your blood circulation and makes blood vessels constrict, leading to a lack of nutrients in your spine, which leaves it vulnerable to injury.

Certain fitness programs help deal with back problems. Yoga, for example, is a great way to stretch out your back muscles, while also increasing flexibility. Also, strength based routines can target your core and are great for people who do a lot of lifting and use their back muscles a lot.

You may need to lose some weight if you’re carrying any extra. Your body’s center of gravity shifts with the additional weight, especially if the weight has been gained around your abdominal region. This weight can strain your lower back, and even lead to chronic back pain.

Lay completely limp, as a relaxation technique. Then, pick a body part and flex only the muscles in that region of your body, making sure to do this slowly and deliberately. This is a very effective way to relax the entire body and to increase blood flow for healing.

Smoking can be a contributor to your back pain. Smoking can reduce your circulation, and contribute to the degeneration of spinal discs.

You need rest and it’s important to get it. Make sure that you make resting time a priority. You may benefit by resting your legs on top of pillows as you lay down. Once you get up, take a little bit of time to stretch around and loosen up. Listen to the signals your body sends you in order to relieve your back pain.

Water therapy is an excellent choice for those who suffer from chronic back pain. The water relieves pressure on your back and spine. Water will keep you mobile especially with back related issues. Most community recreation centers have water therapy.

Remember that millions of other people are also dealing with back pain. Search for what is causing it, and you will have a better chance of ridding yourself of the pain. If you use this advice, the symptoms may go away!