If back pain is making your life miserable, here are some things that might make you feel a little more comfortable during your recovery. These are the ones that work for me, from the cheap to the somewhat expensive. Over the years, as my back problems slowly increased, I started collecting anything that wouldn’t hurt the spine, and I’m glad I did because they come in handy now. I am currently battling a severe case of sciatica and a herniated lumbar disc, which renders me almost immobile at times. Hoping to get better soon, I resort to using a mountain of pain relievers and muscle relaxants, along with all my devices. Despite the slow healing process, they all really help.
The I Joy massage chair by Sharper Image
This chair is a powerful massage tool that can really work my back like a real masseur. It has several adjustments and a pad to be placed between the skin and the massage rollers. This softens the intensity of the massage somewhat, and when your back hurts, it’s best not to let the chair work your back too hard. When I bought it, my main back problems were less of an issue, just movement pain, which was gone in a week or so. Now that I’ve graduated with stronger back problems, this chair is even more useful to me. I use it once a day and only for twenty minutes. If my spine hurts while using the chair, I cut the session. The doctor told me to do whatever feels good for my back, so it’s fine as long as I know when to stop. I joys are trusted massage chairs with a history of satisfied customers. Mine has a cup holder and even an outlet so he can use my laptop while I get my massage. The newer chairs even have connections for iPods. They are mid-range in price, there are more expensive chairs out there, but this one has all the setups I need from bumping, tapping, and more. You can even tell the rollers where to massage and choose your own manual options for yourself, instead of using the automatic ones, giving you a variety of techniques altogether.
Memory foam is a wonderful thing
Instead of buying those expensive memory foam mattresses, I have a 4-inch slab of memory foam on top of my mattress. It is very comfortable, and it molds to my body. I’ve also had the 2 inch mattress topper, and it’s fine too. The thicker the memory foam, the more “locked in” you feel as you lie there. My doctor gave me the okay on memory foam when I asked him to. He’s not one to brag about anything, so to hear that he likes this is a compliment to the product. I also have a memory foam pillow and use it to cushion my lumbar (lower back) while I work. Smokers, please note that memory foam is flammable unless otherwise directed, so it is best not to smoke while wearing it. Foam and fire don’t mix. The denser the foam, the more durable it is. I have a medium density for my mattress topper, and it holds its shape very well. Memory foam can make sleeping much more comfortable if you have severe back pain. I could never be comfortable using only mattresses, but now I wake up more rested due to better sleep quality.
Handheld Back Massagers
The portable massager I use for my lower back is called Accuvibe and I bought it at Sharper Image. It has heat or no heat settings. I prefer no-heat mostly, but I use the heat setting after icing my back (the doctor said to alternate hot and cold on my back). The massage wand is long and easily reaches most areas of my spine. My previous back massager was from Dr. Scholl’s, and it’s fine, but it has a less powerful massage. It has a handy heat option without the massage, which is nice when I’m dealing with back muscle spasms. It’s like a heating pad, but it can get hot, so I’m careful not to fall asleep with it on my back, to avoid burning my skin.
wedge pillows
Over the years, I’ve had a few different wedge pillows, but my favorite is one with a memory foam roll on the bottom, which I purchased through QVC. It’s soft, easy to clean, and strong enough to support my back in bed or in my chair while I work. There are also lumbar pillows, disc-shaped pillows to place behind you while sitting. Another good wedge is one that is placed under the knees while sleeping. This helps take pressure off your spine and helps keep it straight when you lie down.
Dr. Grosso’s Back Relief Belt
This handy little belt is useful for giving you lower back support. It comes with blue gel ice packs, to be inserted into a hidden pocket on the belt, for ice therapy when needed. The belt is adjusted by easily manageable straps and by an air pump on the side. Just pump it up to the correct voltage and then get on with your business. Helps take the pressure off while working or lifting. The belt isn’t for heavy lifting, but it’s good for basic support in your lower back when you need it. With the belt, he gets a pocket booklet called “Guide to a Pain Free Back”, by Dr. Grosso. It’s packed with easy-to-understand diagrams and explanations of how to help your back, as well as brief explanations of common back ailments. It is also full of exercises to strengthen the back muscles.
There are many other aids available, which I haven’t discovered yet. Find what makes your recovery time easier and use it. Pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and other medications are the most important part of my therapy right now, but I hope that in time I won’t need to use them as much as I do now. The entire experience of sciatica pain has taught me to stop abusing my back and think twice about how I sit, stand, and move. Any item that makes life easier is welcome. Give them a try, and you might like them too.