Back Pain Treatment Options

Anyone who has had back pain will most likely seek out an effective treatment; however, the back is such a complex engineering marvel that the proper treatment is not always easy to find. With muscles, joints, discs, ligaments and plenty of nerves to be addressed, it is challenging sometimes to determine what might be the cause of the pain in our marvelous amazing back. A physician or chiropractor will most likely be able to diagnose the problem and prescribe treatment. Sometimes it may take more than one visit or one treatment for resolution.

Treating Muscle Back Pain
When muscular pain occurs via trauma or strain, it's best to treat the injury immediately to avoid a cycle of chronic pain. Reducing the pain is the first step toward recovery, so sufferers should take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain medications to reduce the pain enough to allow for more movement in the back. Prescription pain killers and muscle relaxers may be prescribed by a doctor. Once the pain is reduced, therapies and treatment of the back can begin.

When the nerve issues of pain are addressed, it's time to attack those muscles. Muscles that have been injured will be swollen, unable to move easily, and often have a sensation of heat. Apply ice to reduce the swelling and rest the muscle to ensure healing. Fifteen or 20 minutes of ice applied every other hour is best, with the effects of the ice lasting up to 30 minutes. Too much ice can have a negative effect on the muscles. After 72 hours, if the swelling has gone down, non-penetrating heat can be applied every other hour for no more than 15 minutes at a time. Again, too much of anything is not good, and too much heat can cause weakness. Heat should never be used if there is excruciating, sharp or stabbing pain.

Massage and Stretching
Targeted massage is another method used to achieve relief from back muscle pain. The muscle spasm can be identified as a small marble in softer tissue at the top of the back, and like a rope or hard rock in the spongier tissue of the lower back. One to two minutes of pressure and light massage daily, a few times a day, on a muscle spasm will sufficiently reduce both the pain and potential for new back spasms. Once massage has commenced, the next step is to regain motion through stretching. This will reorganize the back muscles to stop the destructive tissue patterns. Unless the small and the large muscle groups are stretched, tightening and discomfort will remain and recur. Regular movement in the affected sites will ensure that proper healing will take place.

Muscle Pain Treatment Timeline
Days one and two -- Rest, ice for swelling and burning
Days three through seven -- Begin application of mild heat to area
Days five through six to 12 weeks -- Directed stretching and targeted deep massage

Treatment for Joint and Disc Difficulties
The vertebrae, the small bones of the spine, connect to create a canal to protect the spinal cord. The brain and the spinal cord make up the central nervous system that coordinates all movement in the human body. This means that those bones are incredibly important to humans. As the body ages, however, the vertebrae begin to wear, and the ligaments and discs may start to fail as well. The discs that sit between the spinal bones wear out, lessening the cushion between the bones.

Disc or joint back pain can be regional, referred or radiated, meaning that back pain can spread to other areas of the body. Regional pain sits near where the ruptured or slipped disc sits, whereas referred pain travels to the extremities of the arms and legs.

Because these types of conditions are much more complicated, there is a wide variety of treatment options that include stretching and exercise to strengthen the muscles of the back surrounding the spine. Spinal decompression is a relatively new form of back pain management. A specialized medical center can handle the treatment in which a distraction force is introduced to relieve nerve compression. Spinal decompression has been proven effective in relieving pain from herniated and bulging discs, degenerative disc disease and even sciatica.

Back pain can be a serious condition that accounts for almost one fourth of all occupational injuries and illnesses. Getting a proper evaluation and diagnoses, and then pursing back pain treatment, are critical for a healthy, active lifestyle.