Millions of people live with chronic back pain. Muscular imbalances, arthritis, disk problems, soft tissue injuries and accidents can all cause changes to the muscles, vertebra and structures of the spine. Understanding the exact cause of your back pain is the first step in knowing what techniques will be most helpful. Then, some general pain management techniques may ease the discomfort you're feeling.
Movement & Posture
Certain movements can exacerbate your symptoms, and using poor posture places a strain on your back. Body mechanics training will teach you how to participate in activities without causing further injury and how to take pressure off your back. Movement therapies such as the Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais can teach you how to do daily activities in a way that protects your back.
Exercise
Regular exercise is an important part of a back pain management program. Back pain can be made worse if your muscles are weak or tight. Weak and tight muscles can pull your spine out of alignment. Talk to your doctor about designing a program of strength training and stretching that is appropriate for your condition. Yoga, Pilates and tai chi are options that can help you learn to move with control.
Modalities
Using modalities such as heat, ice, bracing and ultrasound can be part of a total back pain management program. Heat can relax tight muscles, and ice will reduce inflammation. Ultrasound, traction and muscle stimulation can calm your back pain. Using a brace when doing activities that make your pain worse may be a solution as well.
Medications
Medication may ease your back pain, depending on the cause of your pain. Pain relievers, muscle relaxants, steroids, anti-inflammatories and nerve block medications can minimize your symptoms. They can be taken orally, or some can be in the form of injections or patches.
Alternative Therapies
You may find relief for your back pain through chiropractic, acupuncture, acupressure, massage and herbal remedies. These techniques can be used in conjunction with Western medicine treatments. Since each person is different, there are no hard and fast rules as to which techniques work and what conditions they treat best. Do some research on your condition to see what others are saying about alternative therapies.
Considerations
If your pain is severe enough, you may need surgery, as well as pain management techniques to fully manage your back pain. There is not always one easy solution. Everyone responds differently to these techniques. This means it may take time and experimentation to find the right back pain management program that works for you.
