Finding Pain Relief After Running
Many people enjoy running as a form of exercise. It’s true that running can be great for your cardiovascular health and wellness. Plus, it burns a ton of calories to contribute to weight loss, if that’s what your goal is with this tried and true form of physical activity. The problem some runners experience with intensive workouts is pain right afterwards. This includes temporary lower back pain that can be quite aggravating. When it starts to interfere with your desire to exercise that can be a big problem to have to deal with.
There are a few solutions that can make running in general less painful. Having the right form while running, warming up with stretching before a big run, and wearing the correct kind of running shoes can help with pain in the long run. Those are just a few suggestions that fitness experts recommend. The reason the pain comes on after a long run is the repetitive impact of your feet hitting the hard pavement that can lead to lower back pain. It’s mostly muscle strains and spasms. If you have temporary pain right after, it can be beneficial to try TENS therapy.
What Else Causes Low Back Pain During Running?
It’s mainly a problem with the discs in your spine. When the repetitive impact of running puts strain on your low back area, and the discs are already damaged to begin with, it can cause pain issues. One of the reasons is if the spinal discs are herniated. Only an orthopedic doctor that does a MRI test can determine if that’s the true issue with your own back. It’s important to discuss your lower back pain with your doctor if it’s becoming a chronic stress in your life.
Otherwise if you want to self treat at home your minor back pain, there are a few ways to do this. A great one is through TENS therapy. This portable TENS unit from UtopiaGear is perfect for melting away pain after a long run. Just place the TENS machine on your body in the area you want to treat, and wait for the almost immediate relief. The units are quite pleasant to use, and you won’t feel any discomfort from the device itself. You can even go about your regular activities while attached to the machine. The electrode pads are comfortable and smooth against your skin.
Back Pain Relief With a STIM Machine
Electrical stimulation machines or a stim machine uses electrical currents as an alternative manner in treating pain. There are different levels of intensity and stimulation modes that you can use to customize your therapy. For example, the Utopia PRO 3.0 is one of our most popular models. Loosen up with a relaxing stimulation setting on the machine to really get to the root of muscle recovery after running. The contract and relax function that the electrodes produce through the TENS unit work on your muscles in a unique way. This does work wonders on lower back pain after intense workouts.
A Portable TENS Unit Is Convenient
The convenience of the machine can’t be beat. It can seriously be used while you are walking around your house, making dinner, or even just walking the dog. The portability is one of the best assets to using the machine. Sometimes after you run, the last thing you want to do is park yourself on the couch, it’s best to keep moving as you cool down. Most experienced runners are active people who like to stay in motion.
How To Relieve Lower Back Pain With TENS Therapy
The stimulating pulses that TENS provides help to prevent the pain signals from your lower back in reaching your brain. That way you aren’t feeling so much of the intense pain. These devices also help to produce endorphins in the body, which also fight pain. They are in fact the same kind of endorphins released in the body while you are running. That’s what providers that “runner’s high” that serious runners are so fond of experiencing during long runs.
When your muscles are tight and sore after running the stim machine will alleviate some of the discomfort. That way you are also relaxing to allow your muscles to recover better. You can get back to doing the things you love to do when you are in less pain from muscle spasms in your lower back area.
Used daily, the TENS stimulator can be placed on your body as often as you like. Most people aim for a twenty to thirty minute session. Sometimes as little as a 10-minute session with the device is sufficient to reduce your pain. This is a non-invasive, non-drug, and chemical free way to treat significant pain in your body. It’s much better for you than popping a pill every time you feel a little ache or soreness after running.
If you have any questions about what a portable TENS unit can do for you, give us a call or email today. At Utopia Gear, our knowledgeable staff is more than happy to walk you through the benefits and uses of our devices in pain management. Our aim is to have you being able to do all the physical things you love on a daily basis, including running with less pain, as one of your fitness goals.
If you are looking for the best TENS unit for home use, then you should consider purchasing a machine from us here at Utopia Gear.
