Back pain affects countless people across the world. There are many reasons why you can suffer from this condition, from regularly being on your feet, or seated, for long periods of time, to sustaining an injury as a result of strain or pressure on the muscles or disks in the back area. Whatever the cause, [...]
Lower Back Pain Treatment
Lower back pain treatment is big business,
There are millions of back pain sufferers the world-over, any one of whom could vouch for how distressing and life-disrupting the pain, and associated symptoms, of lower back pain can be.
Many causes of lower back pain can be avoided – for example, by;
Lifting heavy objects sensibly
Maintaining a healthy weight
Exercising to keep supple
Sleeping on a supportive mattress
Practicing correct posture whilst sitting and standing
Giving ourselves a regular break from killer heels
Bending correctly, and
Not straining the back through over-exercise or overwork
However, as careful as we try to be, it is inevitable that accidents will happen, and damage to the lower back will occur.
Likewise, there are plenty of situations which may cause lower back pain, the onset of which we are less able to avoid, for example;
The aging process
Osteoporosis
Arthritis
Pregnancy, and
Genetic weight gain or obesity
Types of Lower Back Pain Treatment
The majority of incidences of back pain can be easily treated and will improve within a few days.
Many of us have pulled a muscle at some time – maybe during exercise, or slept awkwardly and woken with a stiff back. Rather than see a doctor, we will take a hot bath, put a cold or hot pack on the affected area or rub some heat treatment into it, take a couple of pain killers and relax. Very often this will be enough to ease the pain and by the next morning, our back will feel fine.
However, whilst this is what many would prefer to do, we should not be tempted to self-administer lower back pain treatment if the pain is acute or long-lasting, and in cases such as this, a visit to the doctor is recommended. Depending on the circumstances, he may prescribe stronger medication for the pain, conventional or alternative therapy, or in extreme cases, hospitalization and/or surgery. That said, it should be noted that the vast majority of people will not require hospitalization or surgery to treat their back pain.
Medication
The types of medication very often prescribed for lower back pain treatment are;
* Non-steroid anti-inflammatories such as Ibuprofen and Naproxen – The typical dosage is one or two tablets at pre-determined intervals throughout the day until the pain eases
* Steroids such as Prednisone – The typical dosage is a high number of tablets taken on day one of treatment, with each day’s dosage reducing by a half or one tablet, until all the tablets in the pack have been used, which signifies the end of the treatment. A doctor will determine the duration of the treatment period, and how many tablets will be required.
* A course of corticosteroid injections to help reduce inflammation quickly – The number of injections required will depend on the cause and severity of the back pain.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy has been widely practiced in India, other Asian countries, and throughout Europe for many years. As it gained in popularity in the US, in 1988, the FDA required that all homeopathic remedies list the following on the product label;
* The conditions for which they are intended to treat
* All ingredients, recommended dosages and instructions for safe use
Natural homeopathic remedies can be purchased over-the-counter in the US without a prescription, but should all comply with FDA guidelines. Below are some of the homeopathic remedies which have been effective in lower back pain treatment.
Aesculus – helps to relieve dull aches and pains
Colocynthis – helps to ease weakness and muscle cramps and spasms in the lower back
Gnaphalium – helps to relieve the symptoms of Sciatica, a condition which can cause acute back pain
Rhus Toxicodendron – helps to ease stiffness in the lower back stiffness, and ease pain
Exercise
Specially devised exercises can often be an effective lower back pain treatment.
On their own, or to complement a course of medication, exercises can help to relax muscles, correct poor posture and relieve pain on a short-term basis, and longer term, can help to strengthen muscles, and aid flexibility, which will help to protect the back against further injury.
Exercise can take many forms; swimming or water aerobics are probably the best all-round exercise for lower back pain, as the body is constantly supported. Walking and stretching exercises can also be very effective, although it is important not to overdo it.
Your body should tell you when you are reaching your limitations, but it’s important not to wait until you have to stop before you actually stop.
Regular, sensible exercise will help tremendously in avoiding lower back pain in the future.
Contrast Hydrotherapy
This lower back pain treatment uses hot and cold showers to help ease pain and soothe sore muscles. Many athletes favor this method after strenuous exercise to help reduce, or completely avoid muscle soreness, and associated pain.
A contrast hydrotherapy treatment should last for around nine minutes, being repeated two or three times a day. The temperature of the showers should be alternated as follows;
Hot water for 3 minutes followed by cold water for 1 minute
Hot water for 2 minutes followed by cold water for 1 minute
Hot water for 1 minute, followed by cold water for 1 minute
NOTE : Alternatively, if it is not convenient to take showers, hot and cold packs can be applied to the affected area for the stated times, with similar results.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used as a method of pain relief for thousands of years.
It is said to correct imbalances in the body when fine needles are inserted into the skin at certain ‘acupuncture points’ – of which there are hundreds – which run along energy channels called ‘meridians’, each of which is associated with a particular organ or part of the body.
Acupuncture for lower back pain treatment can produce excellent results, but can be a complicated process, as there are many meridians in the area of the lower back, each connected to different organs, for example; the kidneys, liver and bladder.
The frequency and duration of treatment will depend on the individual, but a session for back pain relief should generally last between 20 and 30 minutes.
Massage
Depending on the cause of the lower back pain, light or deep massage can be very effective in helping to bring some relief. However, it is important that the cause of the pain be ascertained by a medical professional, and this type of treatment approved, before any massage – particularly deep massage – is given.
Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic is a form of alternative treatment, in which Chiropractors use a physical hands-on therapy which is known as spinal manipulation or spinal adjustment.
Chiropractors believe that your body has the ability to heal itself, and that its structure – of which the spine is the primary component – and its function, are directly related. When there is pain in the body, this is an indication that something is out of sync, and the aim of a Chiropractor is to restore normality to the relationship between the spine and the affected area.
During manipulation, joints will be manipulated further than their normal range of movement, but not out of it. Very often, the joints can be heard clicking or cracking during the treatment as they are manipulated.
After a treatment, some soreness may be felt, but after a while, relief from pain should be evident. Depending on the individual circumstances, it may take a number of sessions for complete pain relief to be achieved.
Conclusion
As you can see, lower back pain treatment is available in many forms, and you should speak to your doctor or health professional to see which one is best suited to your circumstances.
Very often, your doctor will be able to ascertain the cause of your back pain by carrying out an examination on you. He will ask you to undress – probably down to your underwear – and then ask you to stand in various poses so that he can check your posture. He will also probably ask you to sit, and to walk around, so that he can see how your back pain is affecting your movement.
He may also want to check your reflexes, by tapping you on the knees and possibly the elbows too, and your sensitivity to touch in the extremities, using a dull needle to prick your fingertips, soles of the feet and toes. If your doctor doesn’t feel able to make a diagnosis from his findings, he will most likely refer you for x-rays and/or scans.
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