Most people experience back pain at least once during their lifetime. It is a common health issue, and likely the number one reason for most people to see a doctor. Although back pain can occur in any part of your back, from the neck to the hips, lower back pain (lumbago) is the most common kind.
Back pain is rarely a consequence of a more complex health issue
It usually resolves on its own after a few days or weeks. However, this kind of pain can sometimes be very persistent, and it tends to recur. In such cases, back pain can seriously inhibit normal daily activities.
This article looks at ways of relieving back pain, with well-tested self-help tips, and information about the available back pain treatments.
How to Relieve Back Pain with these Self-help Tips
Back pain can be caused by normal daily activities such as sitting at work, sleeping, lifting objects, exercising, etc. Changing the way, you perform some of these activities can bring relief from pain.
Sleeping
The way you sleep can be a cause for your back pain. Sleeping on the side with a pillow between the knees will help to keep the spine in a neutral position. Also, remember that an uncomfortable or too soft mattress can aggravate back pain.
Posture
A bad posture, especially when sitting, aggravates back pain. Therefore, when you are sitting keep your back straight, shoulders relaxed, and make full use of your chair’s support.
Exercise
Certain types of exercise such as walking, swimming, and yoga, are proven to be beneficial for back pain relief. In addition to these, you can also follow some specific exercise programs, after consulting a physiotherapist.
Relaxation
Making sure you have some time to relax is important when you are frequently experiencing back pain. However, you should not rest for a very long time. One or two days are usually enough. After that, you should slowly increase activity.
How to Relieve Back Pain: Treatment Options
In most cases, your General Practitioner will be able to help you with back pain. The usual treatment for non-specific back pain is painkillers therapy, but
These medications do not treat the cause of pain.
Instead, they lower the intensity of pain and help you to go through with your daily activities until the cause is resolved completely.
If you are suffering from a more specific cause of pain, your GP will refer you to a specialist. This can be an orthopedic specialist, neurologist, physiotherapist, etc. Depending on the cause of the pain, the specialist can suggest a type of treatment ranging anywhere from massage and exercise to surgery.
How to Relieve Back Pain with Alternative Treatments
There are a variety of alternative back pain treatments. These treatment methods are considered alternative because their efficacy remains unproven. However, doctors will recommend them if they can benefit you.
These treatments include:
- Acupuncture – A treatment that involves stimulation of various points in the body by the insertion of fine needles.
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) – Patches containing electrodes are attached to the back and electrical pulses are delivered through them to the muscles.
- Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) – Needles inserted at different points in the back deliver electrical pulses to nearby nerves.
- Interferential therapy (IFT) – Electrical current is passed to the tissues of the back to accelerate their healing.
- Therapeutic ultrasound
- Belts, corsets, and foot orthotics
- Painkilling spinal injections
The Final Word on How to Relieve Back Pain
Back pain is extremely common, and it is caused by a variety of reasons. It usually resolves on its own. In most severe cases, painkillers are used to decrease the pain, not to solve the issue. When the cause for back pain is due to a serious illness or an injury, more specific diagnostic methods and treatments are necessary.
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