Most people suffer from a sore back occasionally. Sitting in an uncomfortable position for too long can cause your back to grow stiff. However, chronic back pain can be debilitating, sucking the joy out of your everyday life. When you're tired of suffering from back pain, here are three steps you can take to finally find relief.

1. Consider purchasing a new mattress.

If you consistently wake up feeling worse than when you went to bed, your mattress could be to blame. Older mattresses can become compressed over time. The weight of your body can gradually wear away the padding in the areas where you need it most. This can place pressure on your joints and cause your spine to become misaligned. Purchasing a new mattress can give you the extra support you need to wake up feeling rested and refreshed. It's always best to purchase a mattress in person, where you can test it out before making your final decision. Lie on the mattress you're considering purchasing for several minutes to see how it makes your back feel.

2. Rule out medical causes.

If your back pain is severe and ongoing, you may want to rule out medical causes for your pain. Certain infections can cause back pain due to inflammation in your organs. Kidney infections, in particular, can cause pain in your lower back that is concentrated on one side. If you've been experiencing pain for longer than a week, make an appointment with your primary care physician. They can run a blood test to find out if you're battling an infection. Depending on the symptoms you have, they may also want to take an X-ray to rule out possible injuries.

3. Visit a chiropractor.

A chiropractor can drastically reduce the amount of pain you experience. Regular chiropractic care can reduce your dependence on painkillers, which can damage your stomach and liver. You may have already been diagnosed by a doctor, but your chiropractor will want to perform their own diagnosis. They will have you stand up straight without shoes on so they can observe the line of your spine. This can help them identify any imbalances in your posture caused by a misaligned spine. Once your chiropractor is ready to treat you, they'll manually correct your spinal alignment by pulling or pushing on your body using their hands. Chiropractors are trained to carefully apply force to certain areas of your back in a safe and effective way.