Working in landscaping, you probably know how much strain it can put on your back. Lifting heavy items and bending over often can lead to back pain.
If you ignore back pain, it can turn into a chronic issue. The U.S. National Library of Medicine explains that lower back pain is the most common issue and can lead to issues with posture and movement. Luckily, there are things that you can do to help recover more quickly from the injury.
Rest but with caution
Immediately following your injury, you should rest for only a couple of days. After that, you need to get moving again or your pain could worsen. During the couple of days of rest, you can apply ice or heat to reduce swelling and soothe the pain.
Move carefully
After your first couple of days, you will want to start moving again as much as possible. However, you want to be careful not to do anything that will strain your back further. Avoid twisting and lifting, which can add to your pain, for about six weeks. If you exercise, hold off for about three weeks and begin slowly once you start.
Sleep properly
Sleep by itself is great for the body and helps it to heal. The position in which you sleep can impact your healing, too. You should ensure plenty of support so that your spine is in a neutral position. Curling up on your side with a pillow between your knees or laying on your back with pillows under your knees are good sleeping position options.
Back injuries are common among landscaping and manual labor professionals, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer in silence. If your back pain stems from a work-related incident, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to cover medical care and lost wages.
The experienced team at Smith, Feddeler & Smith, P.A. can help you navigate your claim and ensure your rights are protected throughout the recovery process.
