How to beat back-pain & Kyrobak "The Mask" review

A lot of you will know that I suffer from a joint condition that can cause me a lot of pain & restricts my mobility. One of the main issues that this gives me is regular lower back pain, and if you've never experienced this then I seriously envy you! 

Did you know that it's estimated 80% of UK adults will suffer from back pain at some point? 

Lower back pain and back pain in general can be so debilitating, it takes over your life and every movement (no matter how small hurts)! It can be tricky to find ways to manage this pain, so I thought I'd share a few handy tips from Chiropractor Dr Steven Geanopulos just incase you find yourself in need! 

1. Keep Moving It can be tempting to just stop and lie down when you're in pain, but actually that's one of the worst things you could do! Lack of regular movement can eventually lead to spinal issues, so even if you're suffering try and do some gentle exercise, yoga is a big favourite of mine! Controlled movement of the spine can make a big difference to long-term non-specific lower back pain. The Kyrobak and lie down when you're in pain, but actually that's one of the worst things you could do! Lack of regular movement can eventually lead to spinal issues, so even if you're suffering try and do some gentle exercise, yoga is a big favourite of mine! Controlled movement of the spine can make a big difference to long-term non-specific lower back pain. The Kyrobak (above) delivers a unique combination of Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) & Oscillation Therapy (OT), and a recent study suggests it can significantly lower pain scores in people with non-specific lower back pain if used for 10 minutes a day for 3 weeks.
2. De-stress Easier said than done right? But it is important because prolonged stress can lead to your experiencing more pain, this is due to the release of the hormone cortisol which increases muscle tension. Not good for a bad back! Again yoga could really help with this (2 birds, 1 stone) or just taking a few moments to relax.
3. Weight Watching Being overweight can lead to long-term damage of all your joints, but especially your spine. Poor nutrition can also lead to inflammation and increased lower back pain. So eat a good diet and your body, & back, will thank you for it. 

Another thing that can really help with back pain is heat therapy (or cold if you prefer) this can either be directly to the area or by using a soothing eye mask like the one you can see in the photo at the top. This can be either heated in the microwave or placed in the freezer. By placing over your eyes it soothes you, hopefully releasing your tension and relieving your pain. Alternatively instead of using it as an eye mask you can place it directly on the area of your back that hurts.

I found "The Mask" by Kyrobak very easy to use, and very effective! I personally prefer hot to cold, and place it in the microwave for about 1:30 mins (although it's important to heat it in 30sec intervals, and not to heat for longer than 2mins in total). I also tend to apply it directly to the problem area, but I have used it as an eye mask when I've had a bad night due to the pain, and it soothes and relaxes me almost instantly. It's weighty but not too heavy that it's uncomfortable and it blocks out all light allowing you to finally get some rest. 

The Mask is much easier to use than a hot water bottle, as it can shape to your body & you don't have to worry about it bursting and leaving water everywhere! I use it on a daily basis (often multiple times a day) and absolutely adore it! As you can see above, you remove the inner bag from the velcro-fastened cover and place that in the microwave, and then replace it in the cover before you use it! I would definitely recommend The Mask by Kyrobak to anyone who suffers from pain, who struggles to relax or who just wants a bit of time to themselves! It's also fabulous for travelling, just make sure there's a microwave wherever you're going!

The Kyrobak is designed to relieve non-specific lower back pain, which is not usually attributed to a medical condition & is instead often due to the spine structure itself. If your pain is due to a neurological issue such as a slipped disc, fracture or malignancy, it might not prove effective for you.

So, do you suffer from back pain? How do you deal with it? Do you use heat therapy or do you prefer cold? Let me know lovely people!


Stay safe, x