Coping with Back or Neck Pain
By Anne Asher, About.com Guide to Back & Neck Pain
Coping with back or neck pain can be very challenging. Fortunately, there are steps you can take so that you are the one in charge of how you feel. This section covers the things you can do to manage your back or neck pain yourself, including learning how to do daily chores and activites so it's safe for your back, developing an exercise program, adapting your lifestyle to your pain, and what to do to prevent the pain from returning.
How to Protect Your Back
Many people feel that if they could be excused from day-to-day chores during an episode of back pain, they could get over the injury. Heavy lifting, gardening chores, housekeeping or even positioning yourself for sleep -- all of these put you at risk for re-injury. Learn how to protect your back without giving up the activities of your life.
- Ten Tips for Preventing Back and Neck Pain
- Morning Stretches for Your Back
- Low Back Stress and Sleeping Positions
- How to Get Out of Bed Without Hurting Your Back
- Housekeeping and Back Injury
- Gardening and Back Pain - Chores without Strain
Know Your Spine's Anatomy
A visit to the doctors office may prove that it pays to understand the terms used to describe parts of your back. This section provides that information with definitions and pictures of the areas of the spine frequently affected by spinal conditions.
- Picture Gallery - Parts of a Spinal Bone
- Vertebra
- Cervical Spine - The Neck
- Thoracic Spine - Upper Back
Yoga for Back Pain
Yoga can yield great results in reducing and managing back pain, but you need to plan it out, apply prudence, and follow some basic guidelines. Use this section for just that.
- Yoga for Back and Neck Pain
- Overview of Yoga for Back Pain
- Is Your Back Ready for a Yoga Practice? Take the Quiz.
- Beginner Series - Before You Do Yoga for Your Back
- Intermediate Series - Yoga for Spinal Flexibility
- Advanced Series - Hip Work for a Balanced Back
- Yoga for Back Pain Free E-Course Sign-Up - Beginners
- Yoga for Spinal Flexibility Free E-Course Sign Up - Intermediate
Back Exercises
According to Consumer Medical Reports, exercise is the No. 1 best treatment for back and neck pain. Most likely, you will need to modify your exercise program to address your pain. This section has tips, information and step-by-step guides on back and neck exercises.
- Types of Back Exercise Programs
- Core Strength and Core Stabilization for Your Back and Neck
- Water Exercise and Aquatic Therapy for Your Back
- The Egoscue Method
- Back Exercises to Do At Work
Take Charge of Your Back Pain
From your general practitioner to your massage therapist, there's lots of help out there for your back or neck pain. But no one -- not even a licensed professional -- knows what makes you feel better than you - you are your best advocate. This section offers ways you can make decisions and choices on preventing, managing and living with your pain.
Relationships and Support
When your back or neck pain gets in the way of your life and relationships, where can you turn? This section has information and resources on groups, both online and off, as well as tips from experts about maintaining your relationships when you are in pain.
- Relating to Self and Others
- For Family and Friends - Overview of Spinal Cord Injury
- Chronic Pain and Emotions
Sex and Back Pain
Back pain can be the unwanted third wheel in an otherwise enjoyable experience with sex. Consult with this section to find ways of positioning yourself for a pain-free sex life, along with tips on accomodating your sexual style to your back or neck condition. You can also learn ways to enhance your sex life while simultaneously helping your back.
