In Pain? - Some Useful Tips

Listen to your body...

Pain is the body's cry for help. If you are doing something that is making the pain worse, you must stop. It make sense not to continue doing something that may aggravate the situation.

Use cold, rather than heat

To help with the pain and healing process, inflammation must be controlled, but allowed to run it's course. Whilst waiting to get help you can help yourself by taking something cold such as a bag of frozen peas or gel pack designed for the job, wrap it in a tea towel and place it directly on the point of pain for about ten or fifteen miniutes after that time then try to move about to avoid stiffening up. This can be repeated once every two to three hours. Avoid using heat or warming back rubs as these can often make the situation worse by adding to the local inflamation.

Rest...

Find a comfortable position. With acute low back pain, useful positions are either on your back with your knees bent, or on your side with your knees bent up towards your stomach.

Gentle movements...

Do not spend hours in one position. This will cause stiffening and increase pain. Try to move about gently at regular intervals. Sitting in low sofas may well be difficult to get out of, and so you would be better sitting on a dining chair which will make getting from sitting to standing more bearable.

See your Osteopath...

Pain is often the last thing to appear and the first thing to disappear and so just because the immediaete pain is eased by following the above routine doesn't mean that the underlying cause of the pain has been resloved. it is recommended that you see your Osteopath to discover the underlying cause and potential weaknesses to help prevent the situation recurring.

If you are not sure what to do, or need further advice, please contact the practice and we will be happy to help you.