Neck and back pain is, quite literally, a pain in the neck (and back!). As you‘ll inevitably learn, one of the most common recommendations you’ll get when dealing with neck and back pain is to ”take it easy.” But what does that really mean? In most cases, this go-to tip calls for a few changes to your everyday routine, each of which can improve your overall quality of life and offer a bit more pain relief than your treatment plan could otherwise accomplish on its own.

Outsource potential irritants.

As you begin to combat your back and neck pain, one of your first steps should be reconsidering the things you do each day and how they may impact your pain management efforts. For instance, do you tend to tackle home repairs and maintenance projects on your own? When facing chronic pain or certain spinal conditions, you might be better off skipping that DIY approach. Take some time, instead, to seek out professionals who can take care of these tasks. If you’re wanting to pressure wash your house and clean your gutters, for example, Nashville’s exterior cleaning experts, Labor Panes, should be your first call. Not only will they do a much better job than the average homeowner can on their own, but they’ll also save you from unnecessary pain in the process.

Try new options for relief.

In addition to bringing in the pros at home, you may find relief in seeking professional health care providers beyond your typical care team. Take some time to research “neck and back treatment in Mount Laurel NJ” (or your particular location) and review what specialists and other professionals are available in your area. Depending on your needs, you might prefer acupuncture, seek out a chiropractor, or simply stick to conventional Western methods to treat lower back pain or your particular health problems.

Improve your posture.

Your posture intricately affects your neck and back health and, in some cases, could very well be the cause of your spine or shoulder pain. To minimize or reverse these issues, seek out the posture mistakes you might be making and the ways you could potentially fix them. This might involve catching yourself slouching or letting a majority of your weight fall on one leg. Or, you might simply spend less time on your phone and other screens, letting your body stop hunching so much and potentially relieving a lot of pain in the process.

Get proper treatment.

When you’re dealing with chronic pain conditions, whether they’re affecting your neck, your back, or other parts of the body, it’s all too easy to fall into a pattern of trying new remedies in hopes that the next one might be the best pain treatment you’ve come across yet. However, it’s essential that you adhere to your formal treatment plan in the process, or visit a licensed medical professional if you haven’t already. Ideally, you’ll find a combination of both conventional and alternative methods that help you through the healing process; but you can only find that balance if you’ve sought out proper care in the first place.

Neck and back pain, or chronic pain of any kind, can be disheartening, especially when common advice like “take it easy” seems vague and unclear. However, figuring out how this phrase translates into practice in your daily routine and treatment plan can lead you to find a better way to relieve your pain. Of course, the best care for your unique situation will depend on a lot of factors, and will likely be different from the options that work best for someone else, or even those you turned to in the past. That’s okay—what matters most is that you’re sticking to what works for you at this very moment.