THURSDAY, June 9, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Like fixing a flat on the roadside, a new injectable hydrogel is showing promise as a remedy for worn-down spinal discs -- pumping them back up and relieving chronic back pain.
Acupuncture, massage, biofeedback therapy, laser therapy, electrical nerve stimulation and other nonsurgical spine treatments can also make a difference for chronic back pain. Talk to your spine specialist about alternative treatments that could benefit you.
If pain relievers you can buy without a prescription don't help, your health care provider might suggest prescription NSAIDs . Muscle relaxants. If mild to moderate back pain doesn't improve with pain relievers, a muscle relaxant might help.
Exercise to get muscles moving
However, a short walk, aerobics, yoga, water aerobics, swimming, or another low-impact activity can help alleviate back pain. Exercise may loosen tense muscles and release endorphins, the brain's natural pain relievers.
A Message of Hope for Chronic Back Pain Sufferers
The good news is that you may not need to go to such extremes, thanks to physical therapy. A skilled physical therapist can often identify the source of your pain, developing a personalized treatment program that doesn't involve drugs or surgery in any way.
Slowly increase your activity as you are able. Use over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers for severe pain as directed by your doctor. Get physical therapy to help strengthen muscles and improve your posture. Check with your doctor or physical therapist before starting any exercise routine.
Back pain that won't go away is an indicator of something serious. It is best to get the assistance of a medical professional, because in certain cases, you may even require surgery or other types of comprehensive treatment. Don't risk exacerbating the situation, and visit a doctor as soon as you can.
Turmeric milk might be a good home remedy for back pain. Add one teaspoon of turmeric powder to half a cup of milk (hot/cold) and mix it well. Add some honey for sweetness if needed. Drink this turmeric milk at night for possible relief from back pain.
Taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug — such as ibuprofen or naproxen — or other over-the-counter pain medications, applying heat and/or ice to the painful area along with rest, can often effectively get rid of back pain.
It reduces inflammation and pain. Voltaren gel is approved for use on arm and leg joints only. It has not been studied for use in the hips or spine. You should not use Voltaren gel to treat muscle pain in other areas of the body, such as the lower back.
Muscle Relaxants
In some cases, your doctor might prescribe these for your low back pain. Some of the most commonly used muscle relaxants are Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), Metaxalone (Skelaxin), and Tizanidine (Zanaflex). These drugs work by helping to ease spasms in the muscles.
If a 2-week course of over-the-counter painkillers does not work, ask for help from your GP or pharmacist.
Hormonal issues, poor metabolism, poor sleep, high blood pressure, or stomach conditions could change the effect of your medications. It is important to inform all of your doctors about any other conditions you may have to help avoid these problems.
One sign of when chronic pain becomes too much to handle is when there is no relief from the pain, despite these attempts. Additionally, an indicator that chronic pain has become too much to handle is when it begins to greatly impact one's quality of life.
Alternative therapies tend to be safe
One study reviewed patient data from various alternative therapies—such as massage therapy, acupuncture, spinal manipulation, yoga, tai chi, and relaxation techniques—and did not find any serious adverse side effects that resulted from a therapy.
Vitamin B complex is a group of vitamins that is essential for your overall health. In this group, three vitamins help lower back pain. They are vitamins B1, B6 and B12. Research shows that these vitamins may considerably reduce your lower back pain.
While some back pain is only mild to moderate, severe back pain is when your pain is constant, intense or gets worse when you're resting or at night. 2. Your pain is persistent. If your back pain lasts longer than three months, it's considered chronic and may require a tailored treatment plan.
A common cause of back pain is an injury like a pulled muscle (strain). Sometimes, medical conditions like a slipped disc, sciatica (a trapped nerve) or ankylosing spondylitis can cause back pain. Very rarely, back pain can be a sign of a serious problem such as a broken bone, cancer or an infection.
If back pain can be associated with a specific activity, such as lifting or twisting wrong, and the pain goes away within 72 hours after resting and applying ice, it's usually nothing to worry about. However, if pain creeps on gradually, appears suddenly, or doesn't go away, you might have a more serious condition.