Low Back Pain Treatment
A wide range of treatment is available for low back pain, depending on what is causing the pain and how long it lasts. Most people find that their low back pain improves within a few weeks. Chances are good that your pain will go away soon with some basic self-care.
As you consider treatment for your low back pain, keep the following in mind:
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- Research shows that people who understand their low back pain are more satisfied.3 Be sure to ask your doctor or physical therapist if you have questions about your symptoms, how to manage your back pain, or activities you can do or should not do.
- If your low back pain has lasted longer than 3 months, you will probably benefit from more intensive treatment. Programs that combine strengthening exercises with education and activities to help you increase your function and manage your pain are often effective.4
- Surgery is rarely needed for low back pain. Even if you have a herniated disc or nerve damage, you are likely to improve without surgery.
- After you have had low back pain once, the pain is likely to come back. To avoid further problems, keep your back and stomach muscles strong, use good posture, learn the safest way to lift heavy objects, and learn to manage stress.
Treatment for acute low back pain
Acute low back pain is pain that has lasted less than 3 months. If you have recently started to have low back pain, there’s a good chance that it will get better within a few weeks. Most low back pain will improve if you take the following steps:
- For the first day or two, rest in a comfortable position. Try lying on your side with a pillow between your knees. Or lie on your back on the floor with a pillow under your knees. Do not stay in one position for too long, though. Every 2 or 3 hours, take a short walk (about 10 to 20 minutes), then find a comfortable position to rest again.
- Take pain medicine if needed, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or medicines that reduce pain, swelling, and irritation, including ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin) or naproxen (such as Aleve or Naprosyn). These medicines usually work best if you take them on a regular schedule instead of waiting until the pain is severe.
- Try using a heating pad on a low or medium setting, or a warm shower, for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. Or you can buy single-use heat wraps that last up to 8 hours. You can also try an ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. There is not strong evidence that either heat or ice will help, but you can try them to see if they help. You may also want to try switching between heat and cold.
- As soon as possible, get back to your normal activities. Movement helps your muscles stay strong. Staying in bed for more than 1 or 2 days can actually make your problem worse.
5 Ways to Manage Back Pain
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Cleveland Clinic Spine Institute at Lutheran Hospital
Cleveland, OH
#1 - Rest - but just a little
If your back hurts, take a rest. Lie down and avoid overusing your back muscles for a while. This doesn’t mean stay in bed for a week. In fact, too much rest can make your back pain worse. After a short break, get up, move around, and stretch. You’ll find it actually helps reduce that nagging backache.
#2 - Medications
Today, there are a wide variety of medications to choose from to treat back pain. Some drugs relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and relax muscle spasms. Many are available over-the-counter at your local drug store or pharmacy. Other medications require a doctor’s prescription.
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• Acetaminophen (Tylenol® and other brands) • Non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, Naproxen®, and many more) • COX-2 Inhibitors (such as Celebrex®) |
#3 - Cold/Heat therapy
Cold therapy can help reduce inflammation, muscle spasm, and pain. Cold therapy may be recommended immediately following a sprain or strain. Apply cold to your back using cold packs, ice cubes, iced towels/compresses, or take a cool bath.
Apply heat to your aching back by using a hot compress, a dry or moist heating pad, or hydrotherapy (hot bath). Heat therapy can help decrease muscle spasms, relax tense muscles, relieve pain, and can increase range of motion.
A good general rule if you are unsure whether heat or cold would be better is does it make your back feel better when you apply it? If you feel better then it is working. Remember, never apply cold or heat/hot therapies directly on your skin - wrap it in a towel first.
Wrap-It Hot/Cold Pack from Relax The Back
Visit www.relaxtheback.com
#4 - Massage
Massage is a popular therapy that can help relieve muscle tension, spasms, inflammation, aches, stiffness, and pain. It can also help improve circulation, flexibility, and range of motion. Massage can be administered by a professional (massage therapist) or you can give yourself a mini-massage using hand-held massagers that can help increase blood flow and relieve pain.
#5 - See Your Doctor
The most important thing to remember about periodic bouts of back pain is that if they occur more and more frequently, increase in duration (more than a few days), or the pain starts to interfere with your usual activities, it’s time to see your doctor. It could be more than just a minor strain.
The good news is that most back problems can be treated with non-surgical methods. Back problems that go untreated may get worse and could cause serious health consequences.