Back pain can be more than just a nuisance. Chronic back pain can often be debilitating, causing people to seek out extreme options such as surgery. Before you go this route, you would be wise to look at other less invasive ways to treat this pain. Here are five ways that you can treat back pain and avoid having surgery.
Physical Therapy
Many physicians will recommend that you start with physical therapy if you are suffering from chronic back pain. This is often the cornerstone of chronic back pain alleviation. Because the same exercises do not always work for every situation, it is important that you design a routine under the guidance of a trained professional to target your specific needs.
There are a number of different physical therapy movements that you may be advised to try. These include stretching and flexibility exercises, movements designed to strengthen your core, and learning how to retrain your posture to avoid future pain. While it may sound counter-intuitive, your doctor may also recommend certain aerobic exercises to alleviate this pain. Together, all of these types of exercise can be instrumental in treating a variety of conditions, including using it as a herniated disc treatment.
Pharmacological Treatments
One of the most common ways to treat back pain is through the use of pharmacological treatments. The good news is that there is no shortage of available options. You can try typical anti-inflammatory drugs or go with muscle relaxants. You can also ask your doctor for prescription medicine if the over-the-counter treatments are not doing the job.
Be sure to think of these pharmacological treatments as a short-term option. You do not want to use them as a long-term treatment approach. These medications can also come with a variety of side effects that may end up being worse than back pain.
Change in Diet
What you are eating also influences how you feel physically. Diets that are high in refined sugars and trans fats are more likely to be inflammatory. Chronic inflammation often is a predecessor to chronic back pain.
In addition, maintaining a healthy weight can also go a long way in alleviating back discomfort. It does not take an expert to know that being overweight puts great stress on the body, potentially causing back pain and other issues. Changing your diet can have e drastic impact on how you feel, far beyond back pain.
Lifestyle Modifications
It may be that your current lifestyle choices are making the back pain worse. While it is never easy to hear that you need to modify certain aspects of your lifestyle, the changes could be just what the doctor ordered.
The most important thing to remember is to listen to your body. Pay attention to the activities that seem to aggravate your back issues and do what you can to minimize them. There is no shame in admitting that you may need to ask for help around the house or that you should take things more slowly. Another major lifestyle factor that may be complicating your back pain is the use of nicotine. Ask your doctor about changes that you can make to your lifestyle to help to mitigate the issue of back pain.
Alternative Treatments
Do not be hesitant to think outside the box when it comes to treating your back pain. There are a variety of available alternative treatments that could trigger great relief from what pains you.
Many back pain sufferers have found success in treating these conditions through the use of treatments such as acupuncture or laser therapy. Electrical nerve stimulation is another good option if you need immediate relief and do not want to rely on surgery. Lastly, massage can also be a good choice for those who suffer from milder forms of back pain. As always, your healthcare provider is a good source of information when you are exploring your options for treatment.
It may take a combination of different treatments to find the method that works the best for your pain. With a little experimentation and persistence, you may find that you can treat this pain without having to go under the knife.
