Different types of lower back pain
There are three main types of lower back pain. These include acute pain and sub-acute as well as chronic lower back pain. Acute lower back pain generally affects the patient for not more than a month. Sub-acute lower back pain is pain that affects the patient for between a month and three months. Chronic lower back pain lasts for more than a year.
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How to treat acute or sub-acute lower back pain
If you are suffering from acute lower back pain or even if you have a sub-acute lower back pain issue then with the passage of time your pain may come down on its own. The best treatment for such conditions includes heat therapy and massaging. Some doctors recommend acupuncture while others may recommend manipulation of the spine. These treatments are normally recommended prior to the use of drug therapies. If the doctor recommends drug therapy then the patient will be prescribed NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Some doctors might recommend muscle relaxants.
Chronic lower back pain treatment
However, if your condition is one of chronic lower back pain then exercise will perhaps have the most impact on your condition. This is in fact the best non-surgical treatment for you. Acupuncture can also help alleviate the symptoms, as too can tai chi and yoga. Some doctors recommend motor-control exercises while others might recommend low-level laser therapy.
In case the above treatments are not successful in alleviating the pain then your doctor might recommend use of medication to manage the pain. Most often, you will first be prescribed NSAIDs and if this does not do the trick then you may need to use a secondary therapy that involves medications like tramadol and duloxetine. Opoids should only be used when the first and second line of medications are not able to alleviate the pain. Opoids should only be taken when their benefits are greater than the side effects.
Consult a spine specialist
Also, before you start any lower back pain treatment it makes sense to first consult a spine specialist who is trained in treating lower back pain patients. The goal of any treatment to manage the pain should be to offer sufficient pain relief and to prevent further injury or stress to the spine. Thirdly, the treatment should also enable the patient to resume normal functioning at home as well as in the office.
lower back pain treatment at home
The most common exercises to manage pain include back exercises as well as physical therapy that work well together to strengthen, stretch as well as improve the lower back.
Some doctors also recommend low-impact aerobic exercising to help manage the pain. The more you stretch your back through specific stretching exercises the more likely it is that your pain will reduce or go away. A doctor or therapist can guide you in this regard.
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