6 Soothing Strategies for a Sad Spine

If you’re like a lot of folks, this time of year you’re probably trying to lose weight and whip yourself into shape. But it’s easy to hit the gym a little too hard, go overboard on a new exercise, and strain the heck out of your back!

Few conditions are more painful than persistent back pain. So try one or more of these simple strategies to get your back healthy in a hurry:

1.   Keep moving. Resting for more than a day or two reduces muscle flexibility and strength and can lead to further disability.

2.   Get in a good workout. That’s right—just limit what you do while you’re at the gym. For instance, if you usually walk 3 miles on the treadmill, cruise through 2 miles at a slower-than-normal speed.

3.   S-T-R-E-T-C-H. Stay relaxed, cushion your back with a pad, and use slow, gentle movements as you extend your arms over your head and stretch out your legs along the floor. Hold each stretch for about a minute, then relax.

4.   See what’s afoot. Wear shoes that have plenty of cushioning. Cross-training or walking shoes are just what the doctor ordered.

5.   Swim with fins. Don swim fins and tread water for several minutes, or as long as you can. The exercise isn’t weight-bearing, so you’ll place little or no strain on your back.

6.   Take an anti-inflammatory. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and similar drugs often work as well for back pain as more powerful prescription drugs. They help in two ways: They’re analgesics, which means they work directly on pain, and they have anti-inflammatory effects, which reduce painful swelling.

Whether it’s a bad back, a stiff knee, or arthritis pain that’s keeping you from enjoying yourself, get back in action with the soothing relief of Baker’s Best Arthritis Pain Cream! Just rub it on and you'll feel aches and pains start to melt away.