Lower-back pain affects nearly everyone at some point, but having it on one side may unnerve you. It could be from sitting hunched over at a desk for long periods or from sleeping weirdly, but lower-left back pain can be debilitating and prevent you from being as active as you like to be. That's why it's important to find back-pain relief that works for you.
There are many different reasons why you might experience lower-back pain on the left side of your body. Still, unless it’s occurring in conjunction with symptoms like swelling or pain along the spinal column and trouble controlling the bowels and bladder, you’re likely experiencing muscle strain. It’s also possible that pain in the lower-left back suggests a nerve issue like sciatica, as it usually only affects one side.
Luckily, there are ways to treat the pain and make it manageable, from heat and over-the-counter pain medications to tools for stretching or supporting your back. There are six lower-back pain-relief options for you to consider, including the TheraGun Elite, a massage gun we tested out ourselves.
Shop this article: Acumobility Foam Roller for Back, TENS 7000 E-Stim and Aleve Muscle Relief for Back Pain
What you need to know: This is one of the best massage guns on the market, approved by the BestReviews Testing Lab. The unique handle on the Theragun Elite reduces the difficulty of trying to reach tricky areas. It comes with a handful of different attachments, is quiet and has multiple speeds.
What you’ll love: It has five different speed levels and five replaceable massage heads to pinpoint the knot in your lower back. The deep tissue massage breaks up lactic acid and increases blood flow to facilitate healing and loosen up tight muscles.
What you should consider: It's a bit more expensive than others, but well worth the price.
Acumobility Foam Roller for Back
What you need to know: This is among the best foam rollers designed specifically for your back. Foam rolling provides relief for lower-back pain in two ways: by stretching you and applying pressure to your back. It will help you stretch and massage your back, even helping with chiropractic adjustment and relieving pressure on your vertebrate.
What you’ll love: The foam has give, but it’s firm, making it comfortable but effective. The raised bumps provide more focused pressure on the knots in your back.
What you should consider: Be careful not to be too intense with your stretching too quickly, as you might exacerbate the problem.
What you need to know: An E-stim forces your muscles to contract by coursing controlled bursts of electricity through them. By forcing the muscle to contract repeatedly, you strengthen and repair muscle fibers that have stiffened or weakened.
What you’ll love: A muscle stimulator is used by attaching wires to patches and pacing the patches on the skin. The electricity repairs muscles and can even help with nerve pain.
What you should consider: This E-stim is affordable, but its trade-off is longevity. Customer reviews indicate the machine has problems operating consistently after a few months.
Aleve Muscle Relief for Back Pain
What you need to know: Aleve is one of the most reliable over-the-counter medicines for dealing with lower-left back pain. It works by blocking your body’s pain signals to the brain, effectively preventing you from feeling it.
What you’ll love: Aleve is widely available and works for up to 12 hours. All you need are two pills a day to block out your lower-left back pain. It’s cheaper to buy online than in the store, and this box contains 250 tablets, so you’ll have enough Aleve to last you for years.
What you should consider: Overuse of Aleve can cause problems with your digestion and produce ulcers in the stomach. As long as you stick to the recommended doses, you won’t have to worry about it.
What you need to know: These temporary patches stick to your back so that you can have relief even if you’re on the go. The patch numbs your back by delivering icy coolness and then helps to relax it and relieve sore muscles by heating up.
What you’ll love: The Icy Hot patch sticks fast to your back and stays secure even under clothes. It’s fast-acting and will start relieving pain by pinpointing the nerves almost immediately.
What you should consider: Some customers have reported that the patch can come loose if you move or stretch too much.
NeoMedinaTech Lumbar Support Black Belt
What you need to know: This back brace and lumbar-support belt is considered one of the most effective on the market.
What you’ll love: It is made from durable materials, is easy to adjust and can be worn for long periods.
What you should consider: Customers report that the installed magnets don’t help with therapy.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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