Once you've sustained an injury to your back do you know what to do to relieve the pain and promote the healing process?
Treatments for lower back pain may involve analgesics, reducing inflammation, restoring proper function and strength to the back, and preventing recurrence of the injury. Most patients with back pain recover without residual functional loss.
Cold and hot compress There is no scientific proof that the use of cold and hot compresses resolve low back injury; compresses can help reduce pain and inflammation allowing greater mobility in some individuals. Patients should apply a cold pack or a cold compress to the tender spot several times a day for up to 20 minutes as soon as possible. After 2 to 3 days of cold treatment, heat should be applied for brief periods to relax muscles and increase blood flow. Warm baths can also help relax muscles. Avoid sleeping on heating pads, as they can burn tissue and cause additional damage.
Bed rest Research indicates that bed rest may not be the best solution for back pain. Persons who continued activities, forgoing bed rest appeared to have better back flexibility than those who rested in bed for a week. Other studies suggest that bed rest alone may complicate back pain and can lead to additional complications such as depression, decreased muscle tone, or blood clots in the legs. It is suggested that patients resume activities as soon as possible. When sleeping, patients should lie on one side, and place a pillow between the knees or rest on the back while placing a pillow beneath the knees.
Exercise The most effective way to speed recovery from low back pain and help strengthen back and abdominal muscles may be exercise. It is important for persons with skeletal imbalances to build and sustain muscle strength. Your physical therapists or doctors can prescribe gentle exercises that help keep muscles moving and speed the recovery process. Strengthening activities for the back include stretching, swimming, walking, and movements designed to improve coordination, develop proper posture and muscle balance.
Yoga is another mild and exceptional way to stretch muscles and alleviate pain. There may be some mild discomfort initially but as core muscles become stronger it should subside. If pain does exceed a mild level and lasts more than 15 minutes during exercise, you should stop and contact your doctor.
Medications are sometimes used to minimize back pain and can vary from over-the-counter type to prescription drugs such as codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine. Prescription drugs should only be used for a short period of time due to the danger of side-effects such as addiction, drowsiness, slowed reflexes and impaired judgment. Some scientists believe using drugs for long periods of time may contribute to depression or increased pain.
When back pain does not respond to conventional procedures alternatives include spinal manipulation, acupuncture, biofeedback, interventional therapy, traction, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and ultrasound. The most severe case of back pain may require invasive procedures.
Invasive procedures are not always successful and in some cases may result in a reduced range of motion or worse. Therefore doctors advocate surgery only when the patient is suffering from progressive neurologic disease or damage to the peripheral nerves. As we are all well aware, not all back injuries can be avoided but a great many can. Once again proper posture and conditioning activities can alleviate injuries and the need for treatment all together.
“It doesn't work to leap a twenty-foot chasm in two ten-foot jumps”-American Proverb-
Source: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
