3 Pain Management Ideas For Bodybuilders Who Have Injured Their Lower Back And Can't Sleep

If you've injured your lower back and are unable to lift weights, then you are probably experiencing a significant amount of pain. You don't have to grit your teeth and suffer silently. There are lots of pain management methods that you can seek out. These are important because they will help you relax during your resting period. It does no good to be tense and stressed while you wait for your back to heal. It's better to alleviate the pain while you are resting so that you're able to get good sleep and heel quicker.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine that involves inserting tiny needles into your skin at specific points that correspond to the bodies meridians. These meridians correspond to energy (Qi). A disruption of the flow of Qi is thought to cause pain or disease in your body. The acupuncturist will discuss where on your body the pain is and then place the tiny needles in your skin. The placement of these tiny needles is thought to fix the flow of Qi and help the pain. There have been studies that have shown that acupuncture has been effective at treating lower back pain.

Cupping

Cupping is the practice of placing glass or plastic suction cups on the skin. These cups increase blood flow to the area where they are placed. Practitioners believe that in addition to increased circulation, there is also a corresponding benefit to Qi. This is why you will often see cupping instruments alongside acupuncture needles in a TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) practitioner's office. The practice of cupping is very popular with athletes. Chinese Olympic swimmers have been seen with "cup marks", and pro Baseball players also attest to using cupping for the health benefits it provides.

Ant-Inflammation Meds and Diet

Of course, you can also take pain medications. There are strong medications called opiates, which mask pain. But these are meant for people with severe pain(broken bones, cancer, post-surgery pain.) If you're a bodybuilder who has simply strained a muscle, then you should opt instead for anti-inflammation drugs. These medications relieve the inflammation that is occurring in your body. This will lessen the pain without exposing you to the risks associated with opiate medications.

You should also consider an anti-inflammation diet. This would mean eliminating sugar, wheat, and alcohol during your recovery. You should also consider taking supplemental omega fatty acids in the form of fish oil or flax seed oil (a great vegetarian alternative). Omega fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation, so it's a great supplement to add to your diet if you are not already taking it. Visit http://www.pottershouserx.com for more information. 

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