Back Pain Causing Writer's Block? 3 Natural Back Pain Relievers For Writers
Sitting at a desk or over a laptop to write can be stressful. From lack of work and meeting deadlines to the dreaded writer's block, it is easy to see the stressful nature of being a writer. Unfortunately, you may not be placing enough care into your health and wellness. Considering an estimated 31 million Americans suffer with a form of lower back pain, you may also develop this pain due to stress and writing at your desk. Of course, pain and discomfort not only affects you physically, but it can alter your emotional state, possibly causing writer's block.
Finding relief for your back pain is key. However, reducing the pain without the use of harmful, mind-altering pain medications is essential to continue writing. Using one or more of these natural options, you can relieve your back pain.
Hydrotherapy
Centered on the use of various forms of water, hydrotherapy is an effective option for pain and stress relief. From soaking in a hot tub and using an ice pack to swimming in a pool or resting in a sauna, hydrotherapy is available in many forms. Unfortunately, sitting in a Jacuzzi tub with your laptop for writing is most likely not possible, but you can still use hydrotherapy for relief.
Consider alternating a cold and warm compress on your neck while writing at your desk. Fill a bowl with ice water and soak a cloth. Wring out the excess water and place on your neck and shoulders. Hold this cold compress in place for 15 minutes. After the time, heat a bowl of water in the microwave for a few minutes before soaking a different towel in the hot water. Wring out the excess before placing on your neck and shoulders for 15 minutes.
Alternating the cold and warm compress on your neck for 15 minutes every day will decrease the stress and tension in your neck and back.
Chiropractic Care
Working at a desk or writing over your laptop can create tension in your neck, resulting in back pain, headaches, and writer's block. While surprising to hear, your chiropractor can also help you reduce neck and back pain using the following treatments:
- Spinal Manipulation – Working over your keyboard for prolonged periods of time can misalign the neck and spine, which can be painful. A spinal manipulation involves realigning the head, neck, and spine using a traction table or the chiropractor's hands. While this may seem like a painful procedure, you should not feel any pain during a spinal manipulation.
- Massage Therapy – Chiropractors can relieve pain and stress using massage therapy, as well. By gently, yet firmly, massaging your head, neck, arms, back, and lower region of your body, pain and stress will decrease almost instantly. Massage therapy increases your body's natural release of endorphins, which improves your mood. This feeling is similar to the effects of taking prescription pain medications such as morphine. However, massage therapy does not cause any harmful side effects.
Exercise
One of the easiest ways to reduce your back pain is to get up and move around. While this may be difficult while working under a deadline, taking time to exercise is imperative for your underlying health and wellness. Consider a few quick exercises to reduce pain and to clear your mind, reducing your writer's block.
During your day, take a few short walks around your neighborhood or inside your home. These walks do not need to be long, but a few quick strolls can do your body and mind wonders.
Stretch periodically during the day, as well. Many stretches are easy to do while in your office chair, but it is essential to get up out of your chair for effective relief. Stand up next to your chair and stretch your arms up towards the ceiling, as high as you can comfortably reach. Hold this stretch for 5 minutes before releasing. Then, stretch your arms to the floor, without bending your knees. Hold this stretch for 5 minutes, as well.
Pain can wreak havoc on your life and writing career, but relief is possible. Using one or more of these natural solutions, you can reduce your writer's block and relieve your back pain. Check out sites like http://accident-chiropractic.com for more information.