Lower back pain can't always be cured, but it can be treated, mitigated and, in some cases, prevented. Patients should first note whether pain is localized in the muscles or vertebrae. Numbness or tingling may indicate nerve-induced pain. Determining the cause and any patterns of recurrent pain will guide patients toward effective home treatment. Serious injury or spinal degeneration that initiates pain symptoms may require surgery or medical management.
Pain Relief
Home treatment for acute and chronic back pain may include taking over-the-counter or prescription medications for pain relief. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, can be used to ease pain and inflammation in the short term. If muscle strain results in spasms, the Cleveland Clinic notes that doctors may prescribe muscle relaxants as well.
Hot and Cold Therapy
The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends cold therapy to bring down inflammation during the first 48 hours of back pain symptoms. Thereafter, home treatment for muscle soreness can consist of heat therapy or alternating hot and cold compresses.
A reusable gel pack placed in the freezer should be applied directly to back muscles for 30 minutes several times a day. Gel packs can be warmed in the microwave and similarly applied. Both types of compress offer immediate pain relief.
Stress Relief
The Mayo Clinic notes that mental stress creates muscle tension that may cause pain in the lower back. Suggested home treatments for coping with stress include daily exercise breaks, deep breathing or meditation, and discussions and interactions with trusted friends. Addressing clinical depression or substance abuse issues can also provide stress relief to improve physical condition.
Physical Therapy
Chronic pain in the lower back brought on by muscular tension or weakness can benefit from ongoing physical therapy. This can include professional evaluation and exercise programs and/or daily practices of stretching and strenthening at home.
As the American Physical Therapy Association points out, physical therapists are trained to evaluate posture and structural problems that may be causing pain. They can recommend exercises that target the right muscles as well as lifestyle changes that can reduce or eliminate the cause of pain.
Alternative Medicine
Similarly, spinal manipulation, muscle lengthening and pressure-point treatments can address individual back pain conditions. The Cleveland Clinic reports that chiropractic, massage and acupuncture or acupressure therapies can bring pain relief over the long term.
Surgical Options
Back surgery does not represent a sure-fire cure for pain and is usually the last treatment option considered. The Cleveland Clinic notes that laminectomy, discectomy and spinal fusion are indicated for nerve or spinal damage, rather than muscular trauma.
