5 Commonly Overlooked Accessories for Back Pain Relief

Back pain is, fortunately, most often a short-term condition that doesn’t require any serious medical treatment. Unfortunately, however, simple movements like just bending over to grab something off the floor can cause your back pain to return. Lifestyle adjustments like updating your mattress, using a chair that promotes good posture, and even wearing back braces can be key tools to alleviating chronic back pain.

There are additional tools, however, that can also play a role in both preventing future back pain as well as relieving it. Don’t miss this quick list:

Shoehorn

Bending over to put your shoes on can be a pain, literally. When you age, something as simple as slipping into your favorite sneakers can become a struggle. With a long shoe horn, you can put on your shoes without having to bend or even sit down. When choosing a shoe horn, make sure it’s around two feet long so you can use it while standing or sitting. Also, pick one that’s made of a material that’s durable and also doesn’t damage your shoes by tugging or poking.

Foam Roller

Most people don’t realize how much relief foam rollers can bring. Needless to say, if you have back pain because of a fracture, stay away from foam rollers. But in case of muscular pain, they can be a godsend, especially if the pain is in the upper back. For low back pain, however, use a foam roller on your hips and thigh muscles to loosen up the soft tissues that are tugging on your lower spine.

Lumbar Support

Spending extended hours in your car or a chair in a bad posture is unarguably the biggest cause of back pain. A lumbar support or recliner back support cushion can help improve your posture. For a regular office chair, you can simply use a rolled towel. This helps your back maintain the natural inward arch. The ideal sitting position is when your hips, shoulder, and ears are in alignment, with both your feet flat on the ground and knees bent at about 90 degrees.

Knee Pillow

Anyone with back pain should avoid sleeping on their stomach as it can put excessive pressure on your spine. The ideal position is sleeping on your back or the sides. But when you sleep on your side, your legs might still pull your low back forward. This is where a knee pillow comes in. You can use any regular pillow, but high-density memory foam is an ideal choice. Consider getting a pillow that is travel-friendly, washable, and versatile.

Standing Desk

A standing desk can be a game changer for many reasons. It helps with the back pain, can contribute to healthy weight loss (as you burn twice as many calories), lower blood sugar, decrease the risk of heart disease, and boost productivity. Still not convinced? Consider this: a recent study has suggested a link between sitting for long hours and early mortality - even if you do regular exercise. Consult your HR department with a doctor’s note, and you might get a desk free if your company offers accommodations.