Reducing Neck & Back Pain Naturally

So often, the aches and pains we experience in our neck and back are caused by the things we do (and don’t do) daily. Posture, biomechanics (how we move), stress, stretching, pillow and mattress selections, and nutrient intake all play a part in neck and back tension that can lead to chronic pain. Follow these tips to help reduce pain and address the root cause of these issues:

• Don’t Slouch: focus on pulling your shoulder blades down and together throughout the day to keep from rounding your shoulders forward and help establish good posture. This will take the tension off of your back and help strengthen your back at the same time.
• Move Better: when picking anything up from the ground, tighten your core and use your legs to lift up your entire body (like you’re doing a squat), not your back. This will prevent not only muscle strain but also protect against slipped disks and other more serious back issues.
• Stretch it Out: many times back issues culminate in the lower back in the lumbar spine. Try stretching your low back with an elevated pigeon stretch. Hold for 2 minutes per side at night before you head to bed. Be careful not to strain your muscles too much because you don’t want to pull one and make the ache worse, however, if you do push it too far, some muscle rub, (Click here for appropriate rubs), should ease it up for you.
• Relax: many of us carry our stress in our neck and shoulders, meaning we are constantly tightening up our muscles throughout the day (whether we realize it or not). Over time, this can lead to chronic tightness that’s difficult to treat. Stretching periodically throughout the day, looking up from the computer screen or your phone at least once every hour, and remembering to take some deep belly breaths throughout the day can help relieve this tension. Also, try putting a dab or two of essential oil on your shoulders and the back of your neck (where your skull meets your spine and at GB20) at the end of the day to help unwind, being sure to breathe in deeply as you apply it! Moreover, if natural remedies appeal to you, then it might also be worthwhile investing in some cannabis-based products. There is a lot of research out there to suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of marijuana can be beneficial for people living with chronic pain and therefore researching the potential health-boosting properties of cannabis is strongly recommended. This might involve looking up the west coast sour diesel strain or any other strains that are believed to reduce tension. Just remember to always speak to a doctor before using herbal remedies as not everything is suitable for everyone. Accordingly, you can find plenty of useful resources and articles to help you to decide whether to introduce cannabis into your chronic pain relief routines here: https://buymyweedonline.com/.
• Sleep Just Right: we spend anywhere from 6 to 10 hours per night in bed, and if your pillow and/or mattress are too hard or soft, it can lead to neck and back issues. When laying down, the spine should be neutral with the natural curve of your neck supported. Pillows and mattresses that are made with memory foam are often a good choice, as these should help support spine alignment. Quality of sleep may also be a factor, as research is finding that individuals who have more issues with sleep (difficulty falling or staying asleep, waking feeling tired and unrefreshed, or waking very early) are more likely to have chronic musculoskeletal pain. If you are experiencing any sleep issues, make an appointment to discuss treatment options with your doctor.
• Nutrition Matters: nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, and calcium all play a role in the tensing up (and relaxation) of our muscles. Increasing these nutrients in your diet (and even supplementing at night before bed if necessary) will help relax your muscles and relieve the tension that they’ve been hanging on to all day. Even neurosurgeons like Dr Timothy Steel would advise you on increasing the intake of these nutrients.