Lower back pain can be difficult to manage, whether it was brought on by arthritis, nerve damage, bending incorrectly, or lifting something that was a little too heavy. But if you're having trouble, know that back pain is a common problem that affects most people at some point in their lives and is a leading cause of doctor visits and missed work. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is one of the main causes of disability globally.
The best course of action for you will depend on the length of time you've been hurting, the severity of the pain, where it is, and whether it is structural or muscular. Treatments for lower back pain relief can range from simple to complex.
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Stretch Away Pain: Reduce Aches All Over with Easy Stretching Exercises
Consider taking a break this time if your back pain has only recently
started. According to Justin J., back pain usually goes away within one to two
weeks. Park, MD, an orthopedic spine surgeon who holds board certification from
The Maryland Spine Center at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore.
According to him, back pain can last for up to six weeks depending on
other factors like your age and level of activity. People who choose
conservative treatment options frequently experience fewer complications than
those who rush into invasive procedures before they are truly necessary.
Of course, it may seem intolerable to have to wait more than a month for
your pain to go away.
Here are the Top 10 Treatments for Low Back Pain in Nigeria
The top lower back pain treatments are listed here for quick relief.
1. Grab some anti-inflammatory medication
Even though you're trying to be patient, a non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen
(Aleve) can help ease the back pain you're enduring. According to the research
that supports these recommendations for treating lower back pain, they might
provide marginally more comfort than acetaminophen (Tylenol).
According to Dr. Dot Park, "Most of the time, muscle or ligament
strain causes back pain, and inflammation is relieved by an
anti-inflammatory.". NSAIDs have the potential to cause gastrointestinal
issues when taken for extended periods of time, so Dr. Park advises against
taking them for longer than 10 days without first consulting a medical professional.
2. Ice and heat can provide relief
For the first 48 hours after the pain starts, pull out that bag of frozen
peas (or a cold pack, if you want to get fancy) and apply it for 20 minutes at
a time, several times throughout the day. After those two days are over, switch
to 20-minute heating pad sessions.
According to Lisa DeStefano, DO, an associate professor at the Michigan
State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in East Lansing, localized
cooling closes capillaries and lowers blood flow to the area, which helps
reduce swelling. The transmission of pain signals by your nerves is also
hindered by cold. As opposed to this, heat promotes circulation and relaxes
tense muscles, which helps more oxygen reach the injured area.
3. Put on supportive shoes
Some back problems develop gradually over time. According to Dr. Park,
wearing heels can be difficult on your back, especially if you frequently wear
them for extended periods of time.
He explains, "It makes your back arch more."
Dr. Park advises keeping your heels at work or storing them in your bag if you don't want to give up wearing heels while traveling. Additionally, whenever possible, substitute flats for heels in your usual footwear rotation. Below are a few of our favorite podiatrist-recommended shoes.
4. Consider purchasing a new mattress
The average lifespan of a mattress is less than 10 years, which may
surprise you given how old your bed is. There is no hard-and-fast rule, but if
your mattress is noticeably sagging or older than six to eight years, I'd
consider buying a new one, says Sean Mackey, MD, PhD, chief of the division of
pain medicine at Stanford University.
Another thing to think about is that, according to Carmen R. Green, MD, a
doctor at the University of Michigan Back and Pain Center, a firm mattress may
not be the best choice for your back. Numerous studies conducted over the years
indicate that people with lower back pain who sleep on medium-firm mattresses
fare better than those who do on firm beds, according to the expert.
5. Stretch out slowly
Your spine can be stabilized and muscle imbalances can be avoided by
doing gentle stretches, walking, and occasionally standing up at your desk.
Yoga can help you too, despite how difficult it may be to imagine doing
downward-facing dog with a bad back, according to Neel Anand, MD, professor of
orthopedic surgery and director of spine trauma at Cedars-Sinai Spine Center in
Los Angeles.
He claims that yoga poses and stretches can be very therapeutic in
addition to having almost no impact. Stretches like the cat-cow and child's
pose to upward-facing dog to downward-facing dog are advised by Dr. Dot Anand.
You just might notice some positive changes in your spine, your posture, and
your overall well-being" if you do these five or more times per day,
suggests Dr. Dot Anand.
6. Inquire about prescription drugs
Make an appointment with your doctor if your back pain doesn't go away
after four to six weeks. The doctor will examine your back and have you sit,
stand, bend, walk, and lift your legs to determine how your pain is affecting
your mobility. On a scale of one to 10, you'll probably be asked to rate your
level of pain. Imaging tests like an X-ray or an MRI may also be performed.
Then, he or she might suggest a prescribed treatment from the list below:
• Muscle Relaxants: Drugs like cyclobenzaprine or baclofen can ease
excruciating back spasms. If you choose this path, be aware that side effects
like fatigue and vertigo are possible.
• Topical Analgesics: These creams and ointments, like Voltaren gel, are
applied directly to the sore spot.
• Injections of Cortisone, a strong anti-inflammatory, may be advised by
your doctor if all other forms of therapy prove unsuccessful.
The relief usually only lasts a few months at most, and there are risks
involved, including the nearby bone becoming thinner.
7. Take physical therapy for instance
A physical therapist will teach you exercises to correct any imbalances
that may have contributed to your pain in the first place, as well as stretches
to help you manage your back pain. Your PT might also use additional therapies
like ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and active release therapy, depending
on the origins and intensity of your back pain. When people experience back
pain episodes once or twice a year, physical therapy is recommended, according
to Dr. Dot Park. Core and back extensor muscles benefit from its strengthening.
8. Try acupuncture out
One review of the literature from 2013 found that acupuncture might be
even more effective at relieving pain than painkillers. This Chinese medicine
staple improved lower back pain symptoms more effectively than simulated
treatments and, in some cases, NSAIDs in 11 studies involving more than 1,100
participants. According to Dr. DeStefano, the needles appear to alter the way
your nerves respond and may lessen inflammation around joints.
9. Make a massage appointment
It's a good excuse to get a massage every week, so there is a benefit to your discomfort. According to one study, general relaxation massages were just as effective as structural massages directed at specific body parts in relieving lower back pain and reducing disability after 10 weeks as compared to people receiving standard medical care.
The participants all experienced
comparable improvements after a year, though. Dr. Dot Park says, "My advice
to patients is that if you get a massage and it helps, that's great”. Back pain
is frequently brought on by strained muscles.
10. Aim to improve your mood
No, the lower back pain is not in your head, but worrying about it might
be exacerbating it. Dr. Mackey asserts that pain can be made worse by fear,
anxiety, and catastrophizing. Panic can result in physical pain due to the
significant overlap between the brain circuits responsible for processing pain
and those responsible for emotions. Begin by acknowledging your pain, advises
Dr. Mackey. "Then tell yourself that things will improve. It may be
worthwhile to see a therapist to manage negative thought processes while
researching other lower back pain treatments if you struggle with overall mental
wellbeing, such as having anxiety or depression in addition to your physical
aches.
You Probably Don't Need One Particular Back Pain Treatment
Going under anesthesia may seem like the quickest and simplest way to
relieve back pain, which can be extremely frustrating. But in reality, many
people can manage their lower back pain without surgery, according to Dr. Dot
Park.
If your back pain is muscular-skeletal, surgery won't be necessary, but
if it's a pinched nerve brought on by a disc herniation or another issue, you
might need it, the doctor advises. But even in those cases, a six- to
eight-week course of therapy that includes physical therapy and activity
modification will prevent surgery 85 to 90% of the time.
Talk to your doctor about referring you to a pain management specialist
if, after trying the aforementioned treatments, you don't feel any better or
continue to experience pain. This is because more specialized tests or
treatments might be needed to determine the exact cause.
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