How to manage your back pain
Fed up of being in discomfort? Nurofen's Pain Relief capsules can help provide long-lasting relief
Written by Kayleigh Giles
Unfortunately, back pain can affect you anytime, anywhere, and while the cause of your discomfort can vary, it’s often the result of your muscles and joints becoming strained*. Your body’s natural response to these strains is to trigger inflammation of the soft tissue, but when excessive or prolonged, the inflammation can lead to further damage and, you guessed it, more pain. Thankfully, that’s where Nurofen can help.
If you’re suffering from short-term discomfort, Nurofen’s Long Lasting Pain Relief 300mg Prolonged Release Capsules can block the enzymes that cause your pain by slowly releasing ibuprofen into your body throughout the day. Just two capsules can provide long-lasting relief for up to 12 hours, so you can get on with your day and back to feeling like you again.
Of course, it’s important to remember that no two back pain cases are the same. Your pain could originate from strained nerves and joints, or in more serious cases, slipped discs or even organ issues*. It’s also worth taking the time to assess how long your pain lasts. Acute back pain lasts less than four weeks, while subacute pain lasts from four to 12 weeks*. If pain persists beyond 3 days of treatment for children or adolescents, or 10 days for adults, you should consult your doctor.
Along with taking Nurofen’s Long Lasting Pain Relief, here are some of the other easy things you can do to ease your pain...
Stretching and exercising
Exercising and stretching can be useful if you’re struggling with lower back pain as it can help to restore muscle strength and loosen tension. Remember to ease yourself into stretching and approach it gently. You should stop any stretching exercises that cause you more discomfort, and if you’re unsure of what to do, or want to find out what exercises are best for your specific back pain, you should consult your doctor first.
Try hot and cold packs
You may find that heat, such as a warm bath or a hot water bottle, placed on the affected area can help to ease back pain when it first starts. Cold compresses, like an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables, can also make a difference – just make sure you don’t place the cold pack directly onto your skin as it might cause a cold burn. Alternating between hot and cold ice packs, which can be bought at most pharmacies, can also be effective.
Focus on posture
If your job involves sitting down for most of the day, you may find your posture could be contributing to your back pain. A good sitting posture means having all the bones in your spine lined up neatly and your feet flat on the floor. If you’re typing, make sure your computer keyboard is within easy reach so don’t have to lean forward or slump. There are a number of apps and devices available that can help you enhance your posture – and hopefully reduce your back pain as a result.
Remember, if pain persists beyond 10 days of treatment with Nurofen for adults (and three days of treatment for children or adolescents) you should consult your doctor.