| Healing from back pain is a long process but when | | | | on the skin. It is helpful for the pain, and is easy |
| it finally passes, it will give you a new lease on life. | | | | to use. You can adjust the levels of current to |
| After an excruciatingly painful case of a herniated | | | | what feels right for you. The little machine hooks |
| disk and sciatica in my lowest lumbar vertabrae, | | | | on your belt. According to the directions on my |
| my pain has finally subsided. After adapting to | | | | unit, TENS machines can even help your body |
| being nearly unable to walk or sit up for ten | | | | produce endorphins (natural "feel good" chemicals). |
| weeks, my hard work finally paid off and it went | | | | Whatever it does, it has helped me tremendously. |
| away. There is still a little stiffness and sensitivity, | | | | Lying flat, and being careful of movement while in |
| but the back-stabbing lightening bolts of agony are | | | | bed |
| gone. Having spent most of my time lying down, | | | | Since being stricken with the pain of sciatica, I |
| it gave me the opportunity to think long and hard | | | | have learned to move differently, in a more |
| about the situation and fight it all the way. These | | | | spine-friendly way. Instead of just getting up out |
| are a few things that may help you to heal. | | | | of bed, try keeping your body straight, rolling to |
| Always check with a doctor before trying | | | | the side, then using your arms to brace your |
| anything, to see if it will be all right for your | | | | body, roll up out of bed. It takes the pressure off |
| condition. | | | | your lower back and builds strength in the arms. |
| Sleeping on a slab of memory foam | | | | Twisting is a no-no, and while in bed, lie flat with a |
| Memory foam is a soft, dense foam made for | | | | pillow under your knees. My doctor told me to |
| mattress toppers. Many different sizes and | | | | listen to my body and let it tell me what feels |
| thicknesses are available online, such as on Ebay | | | | good. I no longer sleep configured into a pretzel |
| or Bed, Bath and Beyond. A thicker piece of foam | | | | form, since that is what probably messed up my |
| works well for anyone who needs extra support, | | | | back in the first place. |
| as it contours to your body. This takes the | | | | Doing everyday activities more mindfully |
| pressure off your spine, and feels amazing. If it is | | | | Sitting up and standing has been very hard for |
| hurts to lie in your bed, then put a slab of | | | | me, let alone walking. Still, it was important to use |
| memory foam on the floor and try sleeping there. | | | | my muscles daily, so they wouldn't become weak |
| It was much more comfortable for me than my | | | | during the healing period. Walking was hard to do |
| bed, for some reason. I supplemented the | | | | but bit, by bit, I did a little more as the weeks |
| makeshift bed with good, supportive pillows. | | | | went by. It is a slow and steady progress, guided |
| Wedge pillows | | | | by how the body feels. If it hurts, it's time to |
| Along with quality sleeping pillows, wedge pillows | | | | stop. When standing, stand with one foot |
| work well for back support while lying in bed. The | | | | forward, one foot behind. This helps to take the |
| one that worked for me is shaped like a cheese | | | | pressure off of the spine. Lifting anything heavy is |
| wedge (triangular) and has a roll of memory foam | | | | best left for others to do, but light lifting done |
| along the bottom. This allows it to be used at | | | | carefully is helpful. Consult your doctor for the |
| different angles, like sitting up, or reclining. Also, | | | | proper techniques in lifting for your condition. It |
| put a pillow under your legs, to take the pressure | | | | has taken me awhile to get to the point to be |
| off of your spine, as you recline. | | | | able to do much of any lifting, taking it slow has |
| TENS machine | | | | helped me heal. Now, lifting is possible, and my |
| A TENS machine is used by physical therapists for | | | | strength grows daily. It is such a relief to see the |
| their patients' pain relief. This machine stimulates | | | | body slowly coming back to its former, pain-free |
| muscles and distracts the body from pain. It | | | | state. The key is not to overdo anything when |
| involves giving off mild electrical currents that feel | | | | you feel better. Slow and steady progress is |
| like a massage, by way of small electrodes placed | | | | what worked for me. |