Back pain is common, especially after the age of 45. It can be very distressing, but it is important to keep active. Paracetamol and other over-the-counter pain relievers can help reduce discomfort and inflammation. Heat and cold therapy can also help. A reusable heat pad bought from a chemist or sports shop, a microwavable wheat bag or even a warm bath can all help.
Massage
Back pain is common, ranging from a pulled muscle to a medical condition like a slipped disc. The anatomy of the back is complex and includes vertebrae (small bones stacked on each other), intervertebral discs, ligaments, muscles and tendons. Greenville chiropractic massage aids in releasing tendons and ligaments that may be causing stiffness and discomfort in the joints. Chiropractors manipulate your spine to treat your pain and increase your range of motion. In addition to spinal manipulation, chiropractic physicians may also use other manual procedures to treat back pain. Some of these include trigger point therapy, massage, and myofascial release.
Painkillers
Many people with back pain can get relief with over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, or prescription NSAIDs such as codeine and hydrocodone. NSAIDs reduce inflammation and swelling and help your muscles heal. Other medications can also manage back pain, including antidepressants (which can reduce stress) and anti-seizure medications such as gabapentin and pregabalin, which block nerve activity and control pain. Even after a careful assessment, knowing what causes your back pain may not be possible. Often, back pain is caused by muscle, ligament or joint problems, which can’t be seen on x-rays, and by changes to the spine, such as spondylosis that usually don’t cause pain.
Exercise
Keeping active is often the best way to help with back pain. It strengthens core muscles, which helps reduce pain and keeps the spine stable. It also releases chemicals in the body that improve pain and make you feel happier. It is important because pain is often worse when you are depressed or stressed. It is a good idea to exercise when you have back pain. You can follow a program that will help relieve back pain with the help of your physician or physical therapist. You may experience some short-term muscle pain as you start new exercises. It is normal and should ease soon as your body gets used to moving differently. Sticking with an exercise program can sometimes be difficult when you have back pain, but it is essential for a healthy life.
Heat and cold therapy
Many things can cause back pain – from a one-off incident to a longstanding condition like osteoporosis, fibromyalgia or spondylolisthesis (where one vertebrae slips forward on another). National guidelines suggest that GPs use a common-sense ‘wait and see’ approach before referring you for further tests such as an X-ray or MRI. Knowing the warning signs indicating a more serious problem is important. For example, if the pain is sharp rather than a dull ache and radiates down your legs, this could be a sign of nerve compression. The best medicine is to take some painkillers and keep active. It will help to keep the muscles in your back strong and improve the flexibility of your spine.
Surgery
Surgery may be an option if your back pain is due to a slipped disc and other treatments have not helped. It is particularly true if the herniated disk is causing nerve compression and muscle weakness. Surgery may include fusion (when the spinal bones are joined together) or insertion an artificial disk. It may also involve removing a portion of a disc pressing on the nerves. Back pain is a very common problem. However, most of the time, it is not caused by a serious injury or disease. For most people, it is due to muscles, ligaments or joints. It is very important to stay active and try the various treatment options. Getting rid of your back pain will take time, trial and error and persistence on your part and the part of your healthcare professional.
