Around 100 million Americans suffer from back pain, and this pain is often located in the lower back. The lower back takes on a lot of stress, which can lead to extreme pain and stiffness, but there are ways you might be able to reduce this pain. Here are two methods that may play a big role in finding relief from your chronic lower back pain.
Find Ways To Release Endorphins
Endorphins are natural hormones your body produces, but the amount produced is up to you. Sitting around doing nothing will not usually stimulate a large production of endorphins, but there are things you can do that will.
The reason this is important is because endorphins are considered natural pain relievers. When they are released, they send electrical signals from the brain to your body's nervous system. Your body naturally produces endorphins when it senses pain or stress, but the amount produced is not generally enough to remove the pain and stress from your life. It takes finding ways to produce more than the normal level to find relief.
When you can find ways to produce and release extra endorphins, you might find more relief for your pain, but that is not all. High levels of endorphins in the body can also have the following effects:
- Feelings of happiness, peace, and contentment
- Increased desire for sex
- Improvement in the immune system
If you would like to stimulate your body's production of endorphins, you could try the following three things:
- Exercise – The most common way to release endorphins is through exercising. Exercising is a good habit to get into, because it also offers benefits for your overall health and wellbeing.
- Laughing – As they say, "laughter is the best medicine," and this saying holds some truth. When you laugh, your body releases endorphins, and this is one of the reasons it feels so good to laugh.
- Eating dark chocolate – Dark chocolate contains a chemical known as phenylethylamine, or PEA. PEA actually helps your brain produce and release more endorphins, so eating dark chocolate could be beneficial for your back pain.
If your body can release more endorphins, you might see a reduction in the lower back you are experiencing.
Stretch Your Body
The second way you can find relief for your back pain is through stretching. Stretching is often overlooked as a vital part of life, but it is actually really important, especially for people that suffer from back pain. Stretching is one of the few things that keeps your body's bones, joints, and ligaments in good working condition. Stretching:
- Keeps your body flexible
- Reduces pressure on your joints
- Improves the flow of blood, which helps eliminate toxins from the body
- Builds the muscles
These effects are one of the key reasons athletes stretch before they run or play sports. Failing to stretch can cause strain on the muscles, which can lead to injuries.
To take advantage of the positive effects offered through stretching, you should develop a daily plan to do this. You may want to do it first thing in the morning before you begin your daily tasks, or you could wait until later. The important part is making sure you stretch your body each and every day.
Stretching your body can help you find relief for your pain, and finding ways to release endorphins can also be helpful. In addition, you may want to seek help from a chiropractor or from a back pain specialist to find out what other treatment methods are available to help you get rid of the pain you are experiencing each day.
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