Coping With Lumbago and Lower Back Pain

Lumbago can be a real pain in the back - literally! But you don't have to suffer in silence. Take these steps to help you improve your lumbago and lower back problems today, and you too can be free of painLower Back Pain and LumbagoUsually most adults will experience back pain at some point or other in their lives, and probably the most common of back problems affecting the lower back is Lumbago.Lumbago affects the muscles at the base of the spine and the pain experienced can vary greatly from an annoying ache to persistent severe pain. It is thought that the condition can be made worse by extra muscle strain from carrying a baby through pregnancy, excess body weight, poor posture, and cold, damp weather. Unfortunately, with increasing age lumbago can intensify, so it’s even more important for people to keep fit and maintain good health as they age.A person's first bout of lumbago will be felt when doing heavy physical work, such as shifting furniture, lifting and twisting unaturally, resulting in excruciating pain. The spine may not be damaged itself, unless a person has experienced an injury to the back, which is quickly followed by low back pain. Lumbago is basically muscular in origin, so the symptoms can be greatly eased by strengthening the core muscles of the body, losing excess weight, and improving posture.Most sufferers will turn to pain-killing drugs to help relieve their discomfort in the first instance, but taking a warm bath with a little lavender oil can be really beneficial too. Aromatherapy massage can be a more holistic approach to dealing with recurrent lumbago, incorporating oils that help to relieve pain, such as St John’s wort, vervain, white willow, and comfrey.A regular exercise regime can be of great benefit phyically and mentally, but with lumbago it would be better to concentrate on exercises that strengthen the core muscles and improve posture, such as pilates, which advocates building and maintaining the back, abdominal and oblique muscles that make up the core. Think of you core as a natural girdle that pulls you in, protects your back and improves your posture.As we age we tend to wind down, and become less active than we were when we were younger, so making small changes to your every day routine can go a long way to improving your posture, general fitness and associated muscle strength, and lessening the symptoms of lumbago.Try walking to work instead of taking the bus, or get off two stops earlier. Take the stairs wherever possible instead of using lifts and escalators. Park you car further away from your workplace so you can add a few minutes extra walking to your day. Go for a stroll at lunch-time instead of sitting at your desk. Buy a dog and walk it twice a day. Get the family out into the countryside at weekends for a day of exploring, or try out your local rambling club. Take up dancing lessons, or learn a new dance style, join your local gym for regular weigh-training sessions a couple of times per week.Whatever you choose to do, have fun doing it and you will be able to cope better with your lumbago.For more indepth information about managing your lumbago and back pain, visit http://expertbackpain.weebly.com or http://www.backpaincompendium.com