Choosing To Live A Healthier Life

As a parent, you most likely want to protect the physical and emotional health of your teenager. While regular visits to the doctor and dentist are important for diagnosing and treating various conditions, accidents and injuries may still occur. If your teenager participates in a sport, injuries are even more likely to occur. These injuries may cause pain, which can require prescription medications for relief. Since painkillers are the most abused prescription medication, your teen may begin using these drugs recreationally, leading to a dangerous addiction. If your teen has suffered a sport's related injury, consider these non-toxic, non-addictive options for reducing their back pain.

Exercise

Your teen may be able to reduce their pain by incorporating a few exercises into their daily routine. Walking, light jogging, yoga, and swimming are all effective, low-impact options to reduce your teen's back pain after their sport's injury.

Exercise is proven to increase the brain's production of endorphins. These natural chemicals will flow through the body, instantly improving your teen's mood while reducing stress and discomfort.

Endorphins can decrease your teen's pain in a manner similar to morphine or codeine, but there is no worry of unhealthy side effects and addictions. Of course, be sure to consult your teen's doctor before they start a new exercise program.

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is a holistic treatment that centers on the use of different forms of water. Not only is it effective for relieving stress, but it can also improve blood circulation, decrease inflammation, and ease your teen's pain.

Allow your teen to use a warm compress on their back. A heating pad works best, but creating your own compress at home is possible. To get started, fill a pot with water and place on the stove to boil. Once it begins boiling, remove from the burner and allow to cool down for a few minutes. The water will still be hot, but cool enough to touch.

Pour the water over a towel, soaking it completely. Wring out the excess liquid. Then, place the towel onto your teen's back. Allow it to sit and rest for 15 minutes or until the towel is no longer hot. Repeat if necessary.

If your teen is capable of climbing into a Jacuzzi or jetted tub, allow them to soak in the water for a few minutes each day. The hot water will ease tense ligaments and sore muscles without the use of toxic medications. Since excessively high temperatures can place stress on your cardiovascular system and cause high blood pressure, be sure the water temperature remains between 92 and 100 degrees.

Spinal Realignment

Visiting a chiropractor is also a great option for reducing your teenager's pain. Since the injury may have directly affected the spinal cord, realigning the back, neck, and head through a spinal manipulation can decrease your teen's discomfort.

Before undergoing the spinal realignment, the chiropractor will need to look over medical records from your teen's physician and complete an additional physical exam. X-rays and MRIs may be necessary to determine the root cause of the pain, as well.

During a spinal manipulation, the chiropractor will use their hands to gently, yet firmly, move the spine into a position that aligns with the neck and head. While this may seem like a painful procedure, your teen will only experience light pressure.

Also known as a chiropractic adjustment, the spinal realignment can reduce pain and discomfort associated with the following medical conditions:

• Back and Neck Pain
• Headaches/Migraines
• Jaw Pain
• Tinnitus
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Insomnia
• Stress and Anxiety Disorders
• Digestive Disorders

Reducing your teen's pain is essential, but avoiding prescription pain medication is smart. Using these holistic, non-toxic options, your teen will find relief for their back pain without the worry of side effects and addictions. For more information about treatment options,n speak with an experienced doctor like Isaacson Wayne MD.