Lumbago is a generic term for lower back pain without a specific diagnosis [1]. In this article we’re going to look at how you can manage and treat lower back pain, preventing it from becoming a bigger problem that it needs to be. These strategies will also reduce the likelihood of repetitive bouts of back pain in the future.

Lower back pain is one of the most common injuries suffered by people all over the world, with long term studies suggesting that 84% of us will suffer some form of lumbago in our lifetime, with up to 33% of us suffering an annual issue with our lower back [2]. Whilst the severity can range from mild muscle spasm to pathologies requiring surgical intervention, any kind of lumbago is problematic for the sufferer.

There’s not always a clear initial cause of lumbago – it can be a sudden flare up from a particular movement, or it can develop over multiple days on account of poor posture or sleeping position.

Interestingly, active people generally suffer lower back less frequently than inactive people – research shows that around 10-15% of athletes suffer from lumbago [3], which is far lower than the average. This suggests that there’s benefit to activity and strength training when it comes to lower back issues.

This is backed up with further research around correlation between sitting behaviours and frequency of lower back pain. The conclusion is that more sedentary lifestyle is linked with an increased frequency of lower back pain [4]. Therefore it stands to reason that a sound preventative strategy for lumbago is to stay fit, strong and active.

The best advice is to stay within ‘pain thresholds’ in the acute (early, very painful) phase of the problem. Don’t do anything you know will exaggerate the problem and take the time to manage the stiffness and initial pain.

The infrared technology in KYMIRA clothing is very effective when it comes to managing inflammation and stimulating a low-level painkiller.

Research shows that infrared fabrics stimulate Nitric Oxide production. Nitric Oxide activates a chemical called Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate (cGMP). This is the chemical activated when we take an opiate painkiller so will have a mild analgesic affect.

The Nitric Oxide is also a vasodilator, which opens the blood vessels and stimulates improved blood flow. This is important with a problem such as lumbago, because it helps to warm the area and improve movement.

Wearing the infrared clothing will passively manage these issues for you – simply wear the garments and get on with your day in the early stages. You don’t need to do anything in particular, the KYMIRA benefits will kick in within minutes and help to manage you through the acute phase of the problem.

When the initial discomfort has subsided and you have more movement back, it’s time to engage with a treatment plan. We know that in the vast majority of cases, most lumbago cases are best treated with a specific exercise regime, stretching and preventative back pain measures [5].

The issue with using painkillers is that all they do is mask the pain and do nothing to treat the source of the discomfort.

We already know that lumbago is largely linked to movement (and lack thereof), so addressing this is a very important step. As a generic approach, Pilates has good evidence in support of it [6]. There’s also a suggestion that yoga may be an effective activity for helping to manage lumbago over the medium to long term [7].

Further support for the use of infrared in the treatment of lower back pain can be found in the research. There’s strong clinical evidence showing that infrared helps to reduce the inflammation and improve wound healing without the use of any medicine [8]. By wearing KYMIRA clothing to exercise in, you’ll be treating the condition in multiple ways at once.

Although it’s a very common problem, we know from the research that there are specific correlations between activity levels and lumbago, so here’s how you can help prevent it becoming a frequent visitor to your life…

• Increase general activity levels
• Spend time working on core strength specifically – Pilates is idea
• Reducing the time spent sitting
• Staying flexible – yoga is helpful
• Wearing infrared clothing for exercise or to manage low-level lumbago

Follow these guidelines and lumbago will certainly be much less of a problem in your life. You’ll also improve your general health too, which is another bonus!

Click here to view KYMIRA products that will help to manage lumbago.