If you're among the 31 million Americans contending with back pain at any given time, booking a consultation with a chiropractor in your community can be the first step toward living without discomfort. In that initial appointment, the chiropractor will perform an assessment to determine the scope of your pain and then discuss a treatment plan with you. In conjunction with regular chiropractic adjustments, you can take action on your behalf by making some simple changes in your day-to-day life to limit your pain. Here are some strategies that can provide relief.

Be Conscious Of Your Posture

Bad posture can cause back pain or worsen existing back pain. Fortunately, it's easy to ensure that you're using the correct posture simply by being aware of your body's position. A helpful strategy is to imagine a straight vertical line extending through the center of your body from the bottom to the top. Always make the necessary physical adjustments to ensure that your body follows this line; your back should be straight, and your neck and head should be above your shoulders. You can also imagine a piece of string attached to the top of your head to pull it upward; this visualization can help you avoid slouching, which puts strain on your back's discs and leads to pain.

Make Time For Regular Exercise

Aerobic exercise can be an effective way to reduce your back pain. In addition to promoting blood flow, which is instrumental in helping your body's ability to heal, aerobic exercise strengthens the muscles that improve your posture, including those in your back and core. It's important to find a low-impact form of exercise when you're in pain, as high-impact activities such as jogging can cause discomfort. More moderate exercises such as walking, swimming, water aerobics and riding a stationary bicycle at the gym can all be beneficial. It's important to exercise without your comfort level; if you find that your pain increases, discontinue the workout right away.

Say Goodbye To Stress

While it might be impossible to completely eradicate all forms of stress from your life, taking steps to reduce your overall stress can play a helpful role in reducing your back pain. Stress causes physical responses that can worsen your back pain; for example, feeling tense often leads to tightening your muscles, even without your knowledge. Meditation, the pursuit of enjoyable hobbies and more dedicated time with your friends and family can be overall ways to successfully reduce your stress.

For more information, contact Dils Chiropractic or a similar location.