The location and degree of back pain symptoms will, in part, determine the possible treatment options following injury or chronic pain spells. Other factors, such as whether the pain initiates from injured soft tissue or bone, will further clarify a back treatment plan.
The nature of pain will also vary depending upon where the damage lies. According to the Cleveland Clinic, most injuries and painful conditions occur in the lower back. Affected areas can include muscles, tendons, ligaments, vertebrae, discs and nerves.
Medication
Mild to moderate muscle soreness, joint tenderness and stiffness respond well to over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, aspirin or naproxen. These should be used for short-term relief of acute or chronic pain.
The Cleveland Clinic notes that more severe cases of back pain may warrant prescription pain relievers, antispasmotics or injectible anesthetics. Treatment options may include a muscle relaxant, opioid-based or cortisone-based medications, per a doctor's advice.
Physical Therapy
Muscle or joint stiffness, weakness, soreness and pain after an initial period of inflammation can be gradually remedied with physical therapy. Mild cases can benefit from daily stretching or light exercise routines, such as swimming or walking, according to the American Chiropractic Association.
Bone deformities that change the foot or hip angle and cause chronic pain in the lower back and knees may need chiropractic care. Muscle tears, serious traumas and overuse injuries may require professionally guided physical therapy. Acute pain and limited range of motion are good indicators of this type of need. The American Physical Therapy Association lists exercise, lifestyle changes and spinal manipulation among the treatment options.
Alternative Therapies
Alternative medical care can aid rehabilitation following an injury or provide ongoing relief from chronic pain. Neural issues, such as disc pain and sciatica, in which back pain symptoms spread through a leg, may respond well to alternative therapies.
The Cleveland Clinic reports that treatment options for a wide range of pain problems are available from licensed chiropractors and massage and acupuncture therapists. These health care providers use spinal, muscular and pressure point manipulation to treat the causes of pain.
Surgical Treatment
With only 20 percent of back pain cases definitively diagnosed, the Cleveland Clinic notes that surgery can be a risky option. Pain that is agonizing and relentless, such as from traumatic injury or severe spinal degeneration, may be worth the gamble.
Doctors may also recommend surgery for chronic cases of sciatica, in which pain can be relieved by easing disc pressure on a nerve. Surgeries such as spinal fusion, laminectomy or discectomy may also be warranted in conditions with obvious tissue damage.
