Lower Back Pain Treatment
Statistically, four out of five individuals will suffer lower back pain at some point in their lives. The condition affects both men and women, mostly occurring between ages 30 and 50.
Lower back pain has also been found to occur as a result of sedentary lifestyles with too little exercise, or too much exercise which the body is not accustomed to.
But while lower back pain can be a source of anxiety and great discomfort for the affected person, much of the lower back treatment options currently available do not necessarily include surgery.
Analgesics, reducing inflammation, preventing recurrence of episodes, restoring proper function and strength to the back, among others are the focus of most lower back pain treatment methods.
Ice/Heat Packs
The application of ice or heat packs/compresses as a method of lower back pain treatment that has never been scientifically proven. Even so, it remains the most common quick fix for lower back pain. Following trauma, patients apply these compresses to the affected area to help reduce pain and inflammation and allow better mobility.
Suggested Instructions:
* Apply ice or cold compress first to the injured area. Keep the compress on for up to 20 minutes several times a day.
* After 2-3 days, apply heat compress for brief periods. This will help relax the muscles and improve blood flow.
Bed Rest
This form of lower back pain treatment should only be done for a period of one to two days at most. In a study conducted by Finnish scientists in 1996, it was found that persons who continued their activities without bed rest after an episode of lower back pain appeared to have better flexibility than those who stayed in bed for a week. Several studies seem to correlate these findings as they observed that too much bed rest may make back pain worse or cause other complications, such as depression, decreased muscle tone, and blood clots in the legs.
Exercise
This one way to keep active even while recovering from back pain. This lower back pain treatment method will not only speed up recovery for lower back pain but will also help strengthen back and abdominal muscles. For a list of gentle exercises that will help you keep your muscles moving and flexible without exerting too much strain, consult your doctor or therapist.
There will most likely be mild discomfort in the beginning of the exercises. However, as your body gradually becomes accustomed to the activity, the discomfort will disappear.
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Filed Under: Lower Back Pain
