How to Cure Back Pain Fast At Home – Medication and Exercise
Image sourced from Canva
How to cure back pain fast at home? It is one of the most common questions people ask from back pain doctor in Plano TX. Back pain is a widespread problem in the U.S, affecting more than 31 million people every year. About 80% of Americans experience back pain at least once or twice in their lives. How to cure back pain fast at home? Here is professional advice from a licensed and qualified back pain doctor in Plano TX. Read on!
Lower Back Pain Medications
According to MINT’s back pain doctor in Plano TX, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, such as NSAIDs, can quickly relieve back pain. You can buy these drugs or medications without a prescription. NSAIDs reduce swelling, inflammation, and pain by blocking the cyclooxygenase enzyme and suppressing prostaglandin production.
However, when used for a long time, these drugs can cause side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn, internal bleeding, ulcers, and even kidney problems. You can also take muscle relaxants to relieve back pain. Muscle relaxants are lower back pain medication that helps ease muscle spasms. Common muscle relaxants are:
- Cyclobenzaprine
- Metaxalone
- Tizanidine
Although muscle relaxants are effective, they can increase the risk of dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea. Back pain doctor in Plano TX sometimes prescribes opioids to treat lower back pain. Although opioids or narcotics help relieve back pain, they can cause dependency.
Back Pain Exercises
Although it is challenging to perform exercises with severe back pain, research shows that physical activities can help relieve back pain fast. For instance, a short brisk walk, water exercise, yoga, Tai Chi, stretching and strengthening exercises can alleviate spinal pain.
Exercise loosens your tight and tense muscles by increasing blood flow to your brain, causing it to release endorphins, natural pain killers that suppress pain in your spine. According to a back pain doctor in Plano TX, an adequate daily exercise program includes:
- Strengthening exercises
- Stretching workouts
- Yoga and Meditation
Some of the best stretching exercises you can do at home are:
Child’s Pose: Sit on your heels and maintain a distance of hip-width between your knees. Lean forward and place your head on the ground, floor, or mat. Stretch your arms out and place them in front of your head.
Cobra Pose: Lie on your abdomen and place your hands beside your shoulders. Now, lift your torso or chest to ensure your heads point toward the ceiling. Hold this position for a few seconds to feel a gentle stretch.
Cat-Cow Pose: Start the exercise on your hands and knees. Arch your spine toward the ceiling and then dip it toward the ground.
Heat and Cold Therapy
Heat and cold therapy is another homemade remedy for relieving back pain fast. Many research studies have confirmed the efficacy of these therapies for people with lumbar spine pain. Ice packs are effective when used after an injury or strain immediately. Apply an ice pack to your spine to reduce inflammation.
Cold from ice packs creates a numbing effect on your spine, leading to reduce pain. Health professionals recommend applying ice packs for more than 15 minutes at a time. Likewise, a heating pad can relieve tight, stiff, and achy muscles. Make sure you consult a qualified doctor before applying the heat therapy and follow the instructions. For instance, if the heat pack is too hot, it will burn your skin.
Anti-Inflammatory Diet
How to cure back pain fast at home with a diet? Many research studies, including systematic review and meta-analyses, have confirmed that food with rich anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants can soothe back muscles and reduce the risk of spinal pain flare-ups.
Some of the best foods with rich anti-inflammatory properties are seafood, salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel, shellfish, and anchovies. You must also include fresh fruits and dark leafy vegetables.
Evidence suggests that fruits, such as cherries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries, are highly effective against inflammatory-related spinal pain. Don’t forget to include legumes, pulses, seeds, nuts, olives, and olive oil in your diet.
Besides, herbs and spices, such as turmeric, ginger, oregano, cinnamon, garlic, cloves, and rosemary, are excellent sources of anti-inflammatory compounds that can reduce back pain naturally. Make sure you consult a dietician before consuming herbs and spices.
Contact MINT Today
MINT is a reputable minimally invasive surgery clinic in Plano, TX, with qualified and skilled neurosurgeons. If your back pain persists even after taking medication, performing exercises, and consuming an anti-inflammatory diet, it means the problem is something severe and complicated. How to cure back pain fast at home, and what are advanced options. Contact MINT today for more details!
