Back pain treatment can be helpful at alleviating these potentially debilitating symptoms. Often, the initial treatment of back pain consists of some simple steps. If these treatments are not adequate in relieving your back pain, then other treatments may be necessary. Learn about the most common treatments for back pain, as well as alternative treatments, and surgical treatments for back pain .Treatment of low back pain usually begins with a few basic steps. Before beginning any back pain treatment program, be sure you know your diagnosis, and discuss the treatment plan with your doctor. There are some conditions that cause back pain and require immediate treatment. For most cases of back pain, the first treatments are as follows:
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Rest
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The first step in the treatment of low back pain is to rest the spine. Because most cases of back pain are due to muscle strain, it is important to avoid further irritation to the spine and the muscles that surround the spinal column. Bed rest is fine, so long as this only lasts two to three days. Prolonged bed rest can actually lead to more persistent back pain. Once the acute back pain eases, avoid lifting, twisting, and physical exertion. |
Anti-Inflammatory Medications
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Anti-inflammatory medications, or NSAIDs, are helpful in treatment of both back pain and the associated inflammation.
There are both over-the-counter and prescription NSAIDs, and both work well in the treatment of back pain. Side-effects of NSAIDs include problems of GI bleeding, and these medications should be avoided in patients with stomach ulcers. |
Heat Application
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Applications of heat packs help ease much of the discomfort associated with muscle spasm causing low back pain. Patients can use heating pad, hot water bottles, or even a hot bath to help ease the muscle discomfort that often causes low back pain. |
Exercises
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Strengthening of back muscles is probably the most important step in treatment of most causes of back pain. By increasing strength and flexibility of back muscles, weight is better distributed, and less force is placed on the spine.
These simple measures often lead to resolution of the symptoms of low back pain. If not, you should certainly be under the direct care of a physician to aid in the treatment of your condition. There are further steps in the treatment of low back pain that can be considered: |
Narcotic Pain Medications
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Narcotic pain medications are excellent at relieving pain, but these can be dangerous, addictive medications. These medications include Percocet, Vicoden, Oxycontin, and others. Using narcotic medications must be under close supervision, and only for a limited period of time. prolonged use of narcotic medication can be dangerous. |
Muscle Relaxers
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Muscle relaxing medications can be very helpful in the treatment of some types of back pain. Muscle relaxers are sold under the trade names of Flexeril, Soma, Valium, and others. These medications help to relieve muscle spasm, but may also make patients quite drowsy.
Physical Therapy Back exercises, as listed above, are the focus of physical therapy. However, there are other modalities that can be used in the treatment of back pain if the exercises alone do not help. Modalities include aquatherapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and others. |
Epidural Steroid Injections
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Epidural steroid injections are an option for back pain treatment and inflammation around the spinal nerves. An epidural steroid injection is performed using an x-ray to guide the medication to the area adjacent to the inflamed spinal nerve. |
Spine Surgery
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Usually a step when extensive efforts at conservative back pain treatment fails to relieve symptoms. Read on to learn about different types of spine surgery and the types of back pain these treatments may help.
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