If you are experiencing back pain, you probably know how miserable it feels. Whether it is spasms or persistent low back pain, aching neck might sideline you from your favorite activities and work. It is unfortunate that back pain is very common. Around eight of ten individuals suffer from back pain. Low back pain alone is accountable for nearly 3 million visits to the ER (emergency room) every year, and it’s the leading cause of disability globally.
Regardless of scientific research on how to treat back pain, most patients still get unnecessary treatment. Rather than being urged to continue working and staying active, some doctors advise patients to take rest. Luckily, a back pain treatment clinic will offer a choice of therapies while highlighting the risks and benefits of each. Some of the best treatments doctors recommend include:
- Cold and Heat Packs
Some studies prove that cold and heat are effective strategies to relieve your back pain. Ice packs are very beneficial when you use them directly after getting an injury, like a strain. Putting ice packs wrapped in a towel can reduce inflammation.
On the other hand, the cold also offers a numbing effect for intense and sudden back pain. You might use cold packs covered with a piece of cloth to protect your skin from frostbite. However, it would best to avoid applying ice for more than 15 minutes at a time.
- Restorative Sleep
Pain is one of the leading causes of insomnia. Lack of enough sleep might also make back pains worse. This vicious cycle can make it hard for you to get restorative sleep.
Getting restorative sleep is required for your body tissues to heal as well as recharge energy levels. If you find it hard to sleep, it can be important to address your pain and the factors causing it. Some doctors may also advise medications and lifestyle changes, depending on what disrupts your sleep.
- Physical Therapy
Exercise is the foundation of all chronic back pain treatments. As a matter of fact, it’s the first treatment you’ll need with the help of osteopaths, spine therapists, and other physicians in the field. The best osteopaths promote themselves with keywords to appear on the first page of Google, if not on top.
Many outdoor activities usually encompass one being physical, and by taking part in them, there is a likelihood you might get hurt. Apart from treatment and diagnosis, your osteopaths will offer you advice on living healthily through physical exercises.
- Injections
Based on the cause of your pain, if you’re experiencing sciatica, epidural injections can be useful. However, doctors don’t recommend injections in the spine for non-specific back pains.
If your pain is chronic and other treatments are not working, radiofrequency denervation, which uses a needle for treatment, can deal with the aching.
The Takeaway!
Back pain is a common issue, affecting approximately 80% of US citizens at one point in life. Some of them even experience more than one episode.
Back pain is also not a specific condition. Instead, it is an illness, which might happen from different processes. Depending on the type of pain you’re suffering from, ensure you talk to a specialist so as to recommend you the best treatment.