What Is The Best Treatment For Lower Back Pain? – Medication and Lifestyle Changes
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What is the best treatment for lower back pain? Lower back pain is a common condition caused by muscle strain, ligament sprain, and injuries. It can also result from arthritis, ruptured disc, fracture, poor posture, lack of regular exercise, and activities like the improper lifting of objects.
Although lower back pain often goes away within a few days, you must seek proper treatment if the pain continues for 2-3 weeks. How to avoid back pain? What is the best treatment for lower back pain? In today’s article, we will answer these questions. Read on!
What is The Best Treatment For Lower Back Pain?
There are many treatment options to relieve lower back pain. These include homemade remedies, such as heat and ice therapy and anti-inflammatory food consumption, and spinal exercises at home.
NSAIDs are the most common medication for back pain. NSAIDs stand for Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Common NSAIDs used to relieve lower back pain are naproxen and ibuprofen, which block an enzyme known as cyclooxygenase that produces prostaglandins.
Research shows that prostaglandins trigger pain receptors in your body, leading to severe pain. By suppressing prostaglandin production, NSAIDs reduce inflammation in your muscles and relieve pain. Bear in mind that these medications can cause side effects, such as indigestion, dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, and allergic reactions.
How to Avoid Back Pain
If your lower back pain persists for a few weeks, it is better to consult a qualified physician or neurosurgeon. It is crucial to make lifestyle changes or modifications to help relieve lower back pain naturally.
Otherwise, you will have to take medications like narcotics or undergo epidural injections. Remember, narcotics or opioids can cause dependency and addiction. Therefore, we recommend you to make lifestyle changes, such as:
Stretching exercises
If medication for back pain, such as naproxen or ibuprofen, does not work, you can relieve back pain by performing stretching exercises. Although it will take some time, exercises to strengthen and stretch your back muscles can ease pain in your lumbar spine. Similarly, you must also include balance exercises in your workout regimen to speed up the process.
Weight Loss
Maintaining a good weight is essential for your overall health and wellbeing. Many research studies have concluded that obesity contributes to lower back pain. Extra pounds increase pressure on your spinal muscles and discs.
So, besides medication for back pain, we recommend following the exercise and dietary plan recommended by your health provider. Eat an equal number of calories to maintain a healthy weight. Focus on consuming fresh veggies and fruits instead of processed foods.
Quit Smoking
Smoking is one of the leading contributors to disc degeneration. Smokers have a higher risk of re-injury to the lumbar spine, especially during a coughing attack. If you are a smoker, we suggest joining a “Quit Smoking” program in your local area.
Otherwise, if you have undergone surgery, your smoking habit can restrict the healing process. For example, if you have spinal surgery, such as ALIF or PLIF, make sure you don’t smoke for at least two weeks.
Stress Management
Stress is another leading contributor to muscle tension and pressure. Take time to exercise, relax, and practice techniques like yoga and mindfulness meditation to reduce stress. Other options to relieve stress are counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, and deep breathing exercises.
Anti-inflammatory Diet
A growing body of scientific evidence shows that food items high in anti-inflammatory nutrients and antioxidants can help relieve lower back pain by soothing your muscles. Some of the best anti-inflammatory diets you can consume are seafood, including salmon, shellfish, tuna, sardines, mackerel, and anchovies.
You must also include dark leafy vegetables and fruits in your diet. Neurosurgeons here at MINT suggest people eat raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries to reduce inflammation in their lumbar spine. Besides, we recommend olive oil, nuts, seeds, legumes, and pulses, herbs, and spices, like garlic, turmeric, ginger, rosemary, cinnamon, and cloves, for patients with lower back pain.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
What is the best treatment for lower back pain? Is it open-back surgery or minimally invasive spine surgery? Remember, surgery is an option when conservative treatment options fail to relieve your lower back pain.
Instead of open-back surgery, MINT neurosurgeons recommend minimally invasive surgery because it does not cause blood loss during the operation, has lower infection rates, faster recovery, and a rehabilitation period.
Moreover, MINT has qualified and experienced neurosurgeons who can effectively perform minimally invasive spine surgery, like fusion, decompression, and others. What is the best treatment for lower back pain – Contact MINT today to know your options!
