Every person wants the best back pain relief treatments, whether the pain comes from arthritis, nerve damage, bending wrong, lifting too much, or something else. It can be difficult to cope with back pain.
However, if you’re struggling, know that most people experience back pain at some point in their lives and that it’s one of the most common reasons people consult a doctor and miss work. World Health Organization (WHO) statistics indicate that back pain is one of the top causes of disabilities.
Know the type of back pain you have
The best back pain relief treatments should take all of these factors into account: how long you’ve been hurting, how severe your pain is, where your pain is located, and whether your pain is structural or muscular.
Consider slacking off, just once, if your back pain just began. Back pain usually goes away in one to two weeks. Depending on your age and activity level, back pain may last up to six weeks. Patients who don’t pursue extreme treatment tend to have fewer difficulties than those who rush into invasive treatments before they’re truly needed. Even so, it may seem unbearable to wait over a month for your pain to subside.
Here are the best back pain relief treatments.
1. Consider anti-inflammatory drugs.
In addition to practicing patience, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve), can reduce back pain you’re suffering through. Medical guidelines for treating lower back pain suggest they may be slightly more effective than acetaminophen (Tylenol).
In most cases, back pain is caused by a muscle or ligament strain and the inflammation you have is relieved with an anti-inflammatory. Experts recommend you avoid taking NSAIDs for more than 10 days without consulting your doctor.
2. Ice and heat can provide relief.
You should use that bag of frozen peas (or a cold pack, if you want to get fancy) for the first 48 hours after the pain starts, and use it for 20 minutes each time, several times a day. Switch to 20-minute intervals with a heating pad after those two days are over.
Cooling localized areas shut down capillaries and reduce blood flow, helping to reduce swelling. The cold also impairs your nerves’ ability to transmit pain signals. The heat, on the other hand, loosens tight muscles and increases circulation, which brings extra oxygen to the rescue. This is therefore one of the best back pain relief treatments.
3. Put on supportive shoes.
Back problems can begin from the ground up. Wearing heels for hours at a time can be hard on your back, especially if you tend to wear them often. As a result, your back arches more.
4. Consider getting a new mattress.
What is the age of your bed? Mattresses typically last less than 10 years on average. It doesn’t have to be a hard-and-fast rule, but if your mattress is more than six to eight years old or sagging considerably, consider replacing it.
5. Stretch gently.
You can prevent muscle imbalances by doing gentle stretches, walking, and standing up at your desk periodically. It may be hard to imagine doing a downward-facing dog with a bad back, but yoga can still be beneficial to you.
In addition to being almost zero impact, yoga poses and stretches are very therapeutic. There are many good stretches you can do like cat-cow, child’s pose, upward-facing dog, and downward-facing dog.
6. Consult your doctor about prescription medications.
You should see your doctor if your back pain does not resolve itself within four to six weeks. Your doctor will examine your back and ask you to sit, stand, bend, walk, and lift your legs to see how your pain affects your mobility. Your pain will likely be rated on a scale of one to 10, and imaging tests, like an X-ray or MRI, may be performed. If necessary, he or she may recommend one of the following prescribed therapies::
- Medications such as cyclobenzaprine or baclofen can help relieve painful back spasms. Be aware that fatigue and dizziness can be side effects.
- Creams and ointments like Voltaren gel are meant to be applied directly to the area that hurts.
- Corticosteroid shots: If other treatment measures fail, your doctor may recommend an injection of cortisone, a powerful anti-inflammatory. The procedure has risks, including thinning of nearby bone, and relief typically lasts just a few months at most.
7. Physical therapy may be an option.
You will learn stretches to manage your back pain as well as exercises to correct imbalances that may have caused your pain in the first place. Your physical therapist may also use other treatment techniques, such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and active release therapy, depending on the cause and severity of your back pain. Physical therapy is among the best back pain relief treatments when people have an episode once or twice a year. Strengthens core muscles and back extensor muscles.
8. Try acupuncture.
A 2013 review of research suggests that acupuncture may provide even greater relief than painkillers. A review of 11 studies showed that this medicine staple reduced symptoms of lower back pain better than simulated treatments and NSAIDs in some cases. In addition to reducing inflammation around joints, needles may change the way your nerves react.
9. Get a massage.
You can take advantage of your discomfort by getting a massage every week. Researchers found that people who did had less low back pain and disability after 10 weeks than those receiving standard medical care-and that general relaxation massage was just as effective as structural massage. All participants saw similar improvements after a year.
10. Boost your mood.
Your lower back pain isn’t in your head, but obsessing over it could make it worse. Anxiety, fear and catastrophizing can amplify pain. Because pain-processing brain circuits overlap with circuits that process emotions, panic can result in physical discomfort. Accept that you are in pain. If you keep telling yourself that it will get better, it will. In addition to your physical pain, you may benefit from seeing a therapist if you struggle with mental wellbeing, anxiety, or depression. Explore other lower back pain treatments while working with a therapist.
Conclusion
A back injury can be extremely frustrating, and going under the knife may seem like the easiest solution. For many people, lower back pain can be managed without surgery.
Talk to your doctor if you don’t see any improvement or still feel pain after trying the treatments above. You may need more specific tests or treatments to find out what’s causing it.
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