01/9Effective remedies to get rid of back pain Show
Whether it was caused by a rigorous gym session or prolonged poor posture, we can all agree on one fact that back pain can be ridiculously uncomfortable. It not only interferes with our professional work but can also wreak havoc on our day-to-day life. readmore02/9It is a common problemAlmost everyone suffers from backache at some point in their lives. Infact, according to NIH (National Institutes of Health), about 80 per cent of adults experience low back pain at some point in their lifetimes. readmore03/9Bring your 'back' on trackThe good news is that there are quite a few methods which can help in relieving the pain and get your ‘back’, back on track. Whether it is a mild backache or a full-blown sharp pain that leaves you incapacitated, you can try some of the below-mentioned treatments for instant relief. readmore04/9ExerciseWe understand that it may seem counterproductive to get up and get moving when all you want to do is rest, but trust us on this one. When you go for a walk and do some stretching, it releases endorphins,
which reduces the perception of pain. You can also include touching your toes and the cobra pose to your list of easy exercises. However, do keep in mind that it is not advised for those with acute back pain. 05/9The good old massageA lot
of people underestimate the relief that rubbing the aching area brings. You can ask someone to massage your back with some mustard for immediate relief. Getting a massage before your shower can make a lot of difference. Tip: Make sure to use lukewarm water for bathing. readmore06/9Work on your posture
If you have developed severe pain in your lower back because you stay hunched in front of your laptop/desktop all day long, the first thing you need to do is correct your posture. Keep your spine straight and look for a posture that puts the least amount of pressure on your neck. 07/9Hot and cold packsAlternating between hot and cold packs may help in reducing the soreness and pain in people with acute back pain. Using cold packs can help in temporarily blocking pain signals and even reduce swelling to a certain extent. After two days, you can switch to a towel dipped in warm water to get rid of the pain. 08/9Eucalyptus oilIn a bucket full of lukewarm water, add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil. Taking a bath with this water will not only ease your backache but will also calm your nerves. 09/9The bottom lineWhile there are
several factors that may contribute to a throbbing back pain, it usually boils down to incorrect posture and slouching in front of desktop and television. Apart from maintaining proper nutrition and diet, it is important to make sure to avoid prolonged sitting and keeping your weight balanced on your feet while standing. Disclaimer: This article is not a substitute for qualified medical advice. Please consult your trusted medical professional for further information. readmoreWhen you have back pain, the goals of treatment are to make you feel better and to get you moving freely and easily again. Your treatment options will depend on where your pain is and whether it's acute -- sharp and sudden, caused by something
specific -- or chronic -- lasting more than 6 months, perhaps lingering after an injury or illness has healed. Unless you can't move at all because of an injury, your doctor probably will test your range of motion, check how your nerves are working, and press on your back to zero in on the problem area. You might have
blood and urine tests to rule out other problems, like an infection or a kidney stone. Doctors generally use imaging tests for checking out ongoing
pain, if your back was hit by something, when you also have a fever, or if you have nerve problems such as weak or numb arms or legs, too: But there's not always a direct link between the results of these tests and how much it hurts. Imaging tests typically
aren't done when it's the first time you've had back pain or if your back hurts because you overdid it. Most back pain starts in the back and not the actual spine. Because it’s often related to the muscles of the back, the specific cause often can’t be found with imaging studies. Your diagnosis will help your doctor decide what to do next. The basic way to relieve a
strain or minor injury is to take it easy for 24 to 72 hours. Use an ice pack and an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen,
aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. After
the inflammation calms down, a heating pad or pack can help soothe muscles and connective tissue. If you have chronic back pain, sleep on a medium-firm mattress. You may be more comfortable sleeping with a pillow between your
knees while lying on one side. Some doctors recommend lying on your back with a pillow under your knees. Some other tips to try: Keep good posture. Do this throughout the day. Be sure to listen to your body. If you feel sore or stiff, change
your posture and your body mechanics. Sit up straight. It feels better and puts the least amount of stress on your back. Arch your back five to 10 times if you feel stiff. This includes when you’re driving. Take breaks. If you’re doing hobbies like quilting, sewing, and scrapbooking, don't look down for a long time without a break. Change your position and stretch in the opposite direction about every 20 minutes. Half-kneel or squat when gardening or
cleaning. Stretch regularly. This leads to good posture that you can keep doing with little effort. Try these stretching exercises at home or at your desk: Bed rest, which used to be what doctors advised for back pain, may do more harm than good. It could slow your recovery and cause new problems. With acute pain, you should be able to start normal, easy activity, like
walking, within a few days. After that, gradually ramp back up to your usual exercise level. Strengthening both your abdominal and back muscles helps stabilize your
spine. Pilates exercises build these core muscles. You can help prevent further back injury by learning -- and doing -- gentle stretching
exercises and the right way to lift things. Exercising in the water is especially safe for a sore back. The water supports some of your weight, which can make you more comfortable, and it offers gentle resistance,
which builds your strength. Aquatic therapy can make you more flexible and lessen pain for chronic low back problems. Yoga may help your flexibility, strength, and sense of balance. It's good for
stress relief, which will also help you deal with the pain. Physical therapy (PT) focuses on managing or preventing injuries or disabilities. PT helps relieve pain, promote healing, and restore function and movement. Your treatment plan may involve visits to a specialist called a physical therapist. They focus on
easing pain with passive or active therapy. Examples of passive physical therapy include: Examples of active physical therapy include: Keep in mind that each person may respond differently to therapy. People have different types of bodies, different patterns of movement, and different habits. Physical therapists and their trained staff can try to correct improper habits and
movement patterns. Over-the-counter painkillers such as Tylenol, aspirin, or NSAIDs -- such as
ibuprofen and naproxen -- can be helpful. If you're struggling to get through a normal day, your doctor may prescribe stronger pain medicines or muscle relaxants. But you have to be careful. Some of these prescription medicines can make you drowsy.
You could also become dependent on hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Vicodin), oxycodone/acetaminophen (Percocet), or other medications with
opioids in them. The antidepressant duloxetine
(Cymbalta) may help with arthritis and chronic lower back pain. Doctors sometimes prescribe antidepressants and anticonvulsants for pain related to
irritated nerves. Steroids that you swallow usually aren't recommended for acute low back pain. If your primary doctor isn't able to help you control the pain, they may refer you to a back specialist or a pain specialist who might inject steroids or other drugs directly into your back to help control the pain. Injections and procedures in and around the spine
often give only temporary relief. But they can be important in helping diagnose structural causes of pain and helping in physical rehabilitation when other methods have failed. Injections are costly and have potential side effects, which should be discussed in detail before you start. Often, a pain specialist or back specialist will also use rehabilitation and counseling by non-physician personnel such as therapists, counselors, and patient educators.
Spinal manipulation can work for acute low back pain, but it may not be as effective for chronic back pain. Getting chiropractic adjustments soon after you've
hurt your back may prevent chronic problems later. Osteopaths often combine drug therapy with spinal manipulation or traction, followed by physical therapy and exercise. This ancient Chinese healing practice may bring relief for people with chronic low back pain. Gently placing thin, dry needles into your
skin at specific points may trigger the release of endorphins, your body's natural painkillers, or it may change your brain chemistry so you have a higher pain tolerance. You should use it along with other treatments. These treatments are intended for long-standing back pain and nerve damage. Radiofrequency ablation electrically stimulates specific nerves to make them less sensitive to pain. It can also zap the nerve to destroy it and prevent further pain. TENS, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, may help block pain signals or trigger your body to make endorphins. A small battery-powered device sends a signal through electrodes taped to your skin to give you a tingling feeling. Intervertebral discs act as cushions between
the vertebrae. Sometimes, the discs can become damaged and cause pain. IDET uses heat to modify the nerve fibers of a spinal disc and destroy pain receptors in the area. In this procedure, a wire called an electrothermal catheter is placed through a cut in the disc. An electrical current passes through the wire, heating a small outer portion of the disc to a temperature of 90 C. IDET is done as an
outpatient procedure while you are awake and under local anesthesia. Early studies show that some people may have continued pain relief for 6 months or longer. But more studies are needed to compare this treatment to standard therapies and surgery as well as placebo. Radiofrequency discal nucleoplasty is a newer procedure that uses a radio frequency probe instead of heating wire to disintegrate a
small portion of the central disc material. The result is partial decompression of the disc, which may help relieve pain caused by bulging discs pressing on nearby spinal nerve roots. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can often lessen back pain, change how you think about your
levels of pain and disability, and even lift depression. People have been able to take less medication while improving their outlook. If your lower back pain is related to muscle tension or spasm, biofeedback can help you train your muscles to respond better
to stress and movement. It may lessen the pain intensity and the need for drugs. For most chronic back pain, this is a last resort. You may need surgery when you have a herniated disk or a
pinched nerve from the spinal cord. Rhizotomy -- surgically cutting a nerve -- stops it from sending pain signals to your brain. The surgery can fix the symptoms caused by extremely damaged nerves and rubbing surfaces in a spinal
joint, but it doesn't address other problems, like herniated disks. There are also surgical treatment options are available for those with chronic pain that is resistant to treatments. These include sympathectomy, implantable spinal drug delivery systems, implantable Spinal Cord Stimulator systems. What helps upper back pain naturally?Read on to learn more about effective pain-relieving strategies for chronic back pain from natural methods.. Enjoy an anti-inflammatory drink every day. ... . Fall asleep faster and sleep longer. ... . Avoid prolonged static posture. ... . Gently stretch your joints and soft tissues through yoga. ... . Try mindful meditation.. What is the most common cause of upper back pain?The most common causes of upper back pain are muscular irritation (myofascial pain) and joint dysfunction. While there can sometimes be an injury to a disc in the upper back (such as a thoracic herniated disc or degenerated disc) that causes severe upper back pain, such injuries are usually very rare.
Is upper back pain serious?Upper back pain can even get better on its own. However, a serious injury to the upper back can damage the spinal cord and cause paralysis in the body below the injury. Additionally, upper back pain may be a warning sign of a severe medical condition.
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