Back Pain Cures - Tips And Information

Most of us will suffer at least one bout of back pain at some time

. most cases need only simple measures to provide relief. Surgery is rarely necessary and only for prolonged or very severe cases. For most of us, relieving the pain is usually achieved with short term rest, using over the counter pain relief medications and some gentle exercise. In addition there are a number of products that can be very helpful in diminishing the pain. One important consideration here however is to see a doctor or visit the emergency room straight away if you have severe pain in your back after a fall or an accident.

Your doctor may recommend bed rest initially when the pain is severe but this should only be for day or two. Prolonged bed rest, although it was often recommended in the past, is now not thought to be the best way to manage the pain and can make it last much longer. Once the initial pain has decreased with rest then you should begin stretching and gentle exercising to work loosen up the muscles. Walking or swimming are excellent together with stretching exercises. Gradually increase the amount of exercise you are getting as you feel comfortable but do not continue if the pain becomes severe.

For moderate or mild back pain an over the counter pain medication such as ibuprofen or aspirin can be used. For more severe pain your doctor may prescribe NSAID's or muscle relaxants. Other things you can do to relieve the pain include applying heat or cold therapy and massaging. For the initial acute phase cold packs should be used. Apply for two hours for the first two days using a towel or cotton pad between the pad and your skin. After this time heat therapy is appropriate. You can use a moist heating pad or a hot water bottle for between ten and twenty minutes every few hours. Don't overdo it however as too much heat can leave you feeling exhausted and low in energy. Electrical heating pads are very easy to use and effective as they maintain a steady heat and you do not have the inconvenience of heating them up with hot water or in the microwave.

Another technique that can be easily done at home is to use a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machine. This method uses a low voltage pulse to stimulate the nerves that transmit the pain messages to the brain through electrodes placed on the skin. It is safe and effective and TENS machines are relatively cheap. You can buy a simple one for less than $25. Electrodes can be purchased that are specially designed in size and shape to be used for both lower and upper back pain. You may also wish to consult a physiotherapist who can work on the back muscles to help relieve the pain and can recommend exercises and techniques to help prevent further bouts.

Referred pain from trigger points in your back muscles or even in muscles some distance from your back such as the gluteus medius muscles in your buttocks can also cause back pain and many people find relief by using a trigger point massager. You can easily use one yourself to massage the trigger points which can bring relief to even chronic back pain.

Preventing another occurrence of the pain is important as anyone who has suffered through this will tell you! Why did you get the pain in the first place? Are you not exercising enough so that your muscles cannot support your back properly? Are you lifting heavy weights incorrectly or perhaps sitting for long hours in an awkward position? Think carefully of the reasons for your pain and do your best to correct anything that may have caused it. In my case back pain began when I was studying for long hours for exams and sat for too long in an awkward position on the sofa. Acquiring a desk and sitting correctly while I studied, together with increasing the amount of exercise I was taking has prevented the pain from coming back for many years now.

Mild or moderate lower or upper back pain is extremely common and can lead to lost working days and depression but it can be successfully managed and prevented in the future.

by: janet bugby

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