BY DR. ARNAN SISSON

Let me ask you something, if there was a way to get rid of your back pain using the least amount of effort, would you do it? I think it’s safe to say we would all answer with a resounding, “YES!” Well, guess what? There are ways to make your back pain much lower without exercising at all! Two ways involve sitting! What a hassle, right?

Two of the key ways to treat back pain without exercising is to pay close attention to how you are sitting/laying and the types of materials you are sitting/laying on.

Firstly, you want to make sure you get a nice hard-back chair that isn’t too low; try to avoid those soft, low couches for at least the first week or two when treating your back. Secondly, you also want to avoid propping your legs up. You avoid these things because they can round the back, which slows progress and worsens the back pain.

Another way to lessen your back pain is by checking your bed. I always ask about the type of mattress folks are using and whether they notice a sag or dent in it. This can be the culprit to back pain, and I suggest you either get a new mattress or try sticking a piece of plywood between the mattress and the base to help even it out. But, for those of you who are having trouble sleeping on your back, you can try rolling up a little towel and placing it in the curve of your back while you’re lying in bed.

Again, these are just some simple ways to get the ball rolling toward relief without having to exercise!

That’s it for today, everyone, remember knowledge is power!

P.S. Don’t forget if you have any questions, you can always call our office at (804) 493-3256 to request a FREE phone consultation so we can discuss your particular case and get you back on track. Just remember that we do offer a limited amount of these phone consultations each week, so make sure you call us right away, don’t wait!